tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88034560620369102912015-02-27T09:33:12.198-06:00Life in the RoundAn exploration of my life as I know it. Knitting, working, creating, and cat-wrangling.ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-40372502736465132832010-01-30T16:51:00.001-06:002010-01-30T16:58:59.011-06:00Elvis Costello Charts<p>&#160;</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/S2S39EzIVwI/AAAAAAAAAi8/3g8jEe4K4QA/s1600-h/ec1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="ec1" border="0" alt="ec1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/S2S39YT9GcI/AAAAAAAAAjA/b5MSDlB-_jg/ec1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="171" /></a><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="ec2" border="0" alt="ec2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/S2S3-DtlhBI/AAAAAAAAAjE/b7DxvCMS7nA/ec2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="171" /></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>Many, many years ago a friend of mine showed me what she was doing with two sticks and some yarn. She was making a scarf. I thought, well, I can go out and buy a scarf; why would I want to take the time to learn this &quot;granny&quot; craft you call knitting? Then, one day at Barnes &amp; Noble, I saw a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-N-Bitch-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182%3FSubscriptionId%3D1YZR91QYB6WCG3PM78G2%26tag%3Dravelry-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0761128182">Stitch &amp; Bitch</a>. It was a knitting book for &quot;my generation&quot;. I flipped through the patterns, my jaw dropped and page-flipping stopped when I saw the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skully">Skully Sweater</a>. Wait, I can make something as cool as <b>this</b> with two sticks and yarn?! Ok. I'm sold. I quickly bought this book, some sticks, and some yarn. That night I taught myself to knit from that book and was quickly making my first scarf (two colors even!). That was early in 2005. </p> <p>That same summer, some good friends of mine were getting married. They are both music enthusiasts (we all had worked together at the record store I manage), and I knew I wanted to knit them something wonderful. Being so new to the craft, I had no idea that the projects I wanted to make were waaaaaayyyyy beyond my skill level. After all, the only project I had made so far was a garter stitch scarf and several 4x4 inch swatches practicing stockinette stitch. Such is the bliss of ignorance!</p> <p>I (with the help of, my then boyfriend, Ray) charted out the design for two intarsia pillows. His favorite band, D.R.I.; and her favorite artist, Elvis Costello. It was a very ambitious task, but I persisted. I made his pillow first (twice, since the first time I had to rip the entire front back) and was able to work out the &quot;kinks&quot; of the process. Her pillow turned out nicer looking, but they're both equally loved.</p> <p>This was a very long-winded way of saying that I have gotten a lot of requests for the charts on the Elvis Costello pillow. So many, in fact, that I have put it up for sale on Ravelry. It's not very expensive, only $1.99, and you get a chart for the front (his face) and two for the back (his name).&#160; Right now it’s only available on Ravelry, since I don’t know how to put the “buy now” button on my blog.&#160; If I get that figured out then you won’t have to have a Rav account to purchase it.&#160; However, if you’re a knitter and you’re interested in things, like Elvis Costello, and you DON’T have a Ravelry account; then get your butt over there and sign up!&#160; It’s free and you’ll meet so many other cool knitters like yourself that your head might explode!&#160; We could all use that every now and then.</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-55127595744707535422009-06-10T18:17:00.001-05:002009-06-10T18:17:51.741-05:00The Reveal<p>So I’ve been sitting on a secret.&#160; One that I couldn’t reveal until today.&#160; It’s been pretty hard not to talk about, but I didn’t think I could say anything until I had a link to give.&#160; (This is kind of a lie, I’ve already gushed to my close friends about it, but they are good at keeping secrets.)</p> <p>Today, I am amongst the elite.&#160; Cookie A., Norah Gaughn, Annie Modesitt, Veronik Avery, Kate Gilbert, etc. are all gathered in the same location as me.&#160; If you don’t know any of these names, then this next bit of news might not be a big deal to you, but I’m wetting myself.&#160; </p> <p>The news:&#160; I have been published in <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer09/index.php">KNITTY!!!!!!!!!!!!</a>&#160; Of course my pattern doesn’t rival the genius of the aforementioned designers, but I’m just glad to be swimming in the pool with them.&#160; <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer09/PATTtridactyl.php">My pattern</a> is in the Summer ‘09 issue as a part of the Head-start on the Holidays edition.&#160; So not only am I in Knitty, but I’m part of a brand new feature for the magazine!</p> <p>I shall not take all the glory however.&#160; My beautiful friend, <a href="http://maurahenn.com/">Maura</a>, took all the gorgeous photographs of my project.&#160; Pictures weigh heavily in the decision to include a pattern, so I’m very grateful to have such a talented photographer to call upon.</p> <p>I’m so proud of us!&#160; Go check it out and make some of the awesome patterns (mine too if you want) that are featured.&#160; If you don’t knit, check it out anyway and marvel at the amazingness of all these wonderful designers!</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-51345780839314224482009-05-22T22:31:00.001-05:002009-05-22T22:31:27.732-05:00Holy Flowers & Showers! It’s the May Phat Fiber Box!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt03DS3JI/AAAAAAAAAfU/5ZWP16eRRWI/s1600-h/DSCF4260%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4260" border="0" alt="DSCF4260" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt1csE61I/AAAAAAAAAfY/wA08B3YAJzc/DSCF4260_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="288" /></a> </p> <p>This time around they had all fiber boxes!&#160; I totally scored one.&#160; It’s chock full of fibery goodness and beautiful colors.&#160; As seen above, the theme this month was Flowers &amp; Showers.&#160; So let’s take a look at what I got:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt1ut-1UI/AAAAAAAAAfc/1n_dbXv4Y_s/s1600-h/DSCF4263%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4263" border="0" alt="DSCF4263" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt2CCOPnI/AAAAAAAAAfg/HsZqchDw8ZA/DSCF4263_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="288" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.theyarnside.etsy.com">The Yarn Side</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Baby Alpaca/Merino</p> <p>Color:&#160; Lilac Skies</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.1 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; Super soft, great color (although I’m not sure where the lilac part comes in), and really cute packaging!</p> <p>&#160;<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt2QeTMGI/AAAAAAAAAfk/zVZUytoLM_A/s1600-h/DSCF4264_edited-1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4264_edited-1" border="0" alt="DSCF4264_edited-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt2j5bbwI/AAAAAAAAAfo/OmrgsfNkN-M/DSCF4264_edited-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Vendor: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7140">Girl on the Rocks</a></p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; These stitch markers are really cute, and functional!&#160; </p> <p>&#160;<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt3OdCaUI/AAAAAAAAAfs/kTVzavuDk5U/s1600-h/DSCF4266%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4266" border="0" alt="DSCF4266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt3VKuyNI/AAAAAAAAAfw/2yCUdvP47ug/DSCF4266_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.fibergifttags.com/">Fiber Gift Tags</a></p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; These are very well designed, and the icons she uses are adorable.&#160; I’ve had plenty of times when I could have used these, and I’m really glad she’s got different tags for different crafts.&#160; </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt3qPaROI/AAAAAAAAAf0/ieEEgr7AcH0/s1600-h/DSCF4268%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4268" border="0" alt="DSCF4268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt34mxSZI/AAAAAAAAAf4/AERQPBDQarg/DSCF4268_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6885458">Banana Migraine Designs</a></p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; Very cute marker, a little different than what I usually see.&#160; That’s not a bad thing!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt4dAaMJI/AAAAAAAAAf8/kBRgJSeUJZw/s1600-h/DSCF4269%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4269" border="0" alt="DSCF4269" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt4p72nvI/AAAAAAAAAgA/XRojZXY7V8U/DSCF4269_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6072055">Fickle Knitter Design</a></p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; A really pretty stitch marker and the card it’s on is soooo sparkly!&#160; Very eye-catching!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt40HekLI/AAAAAAAAAgE/BHb8kqLc9_I/s1600-h/DSCF4270%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4270" border="0" alt="DSCF4270" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt5BZ0G1I/AAAAAAAAAgI/yIV2vhNzkpo/DSCF4270_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=19807">Greenwood Fiberworks</a> (beware this link, while this bookmark is cute, there is some simply amazing fiber and yarn at her site.&#160; No lie.)</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; An adorable bookmarker with a hand painted yarn tassle.&#160; It also came with a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt5VHaMLI/AAAAAAAAAgM/H-f98iOP1Ro/s1600-h/DSCF4271%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4271" border="0" alt="DSCF4271" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt5i1K0BI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/VVOTWJ0qOeo/DSCF4271_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; Unknown</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; Jessie of <a href="http://www.phatfiber.com">Phat Fiber</a> had a local artisan make these needle rolls for her.&#160; They’re very well made and the fabric is super soft!&#160; Thanks Jessie!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt6WeyfKI/AAAAAAAAAgU/23spWPijWkE/s1600-h/DSCF4272%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4272" border="0" alt="DSCF4272" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt6rVGciI/AAAAAAAAAgY/xzFJuHe7uZw/DSCF4272_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.goodnessgraciouswv.etsy.com">Goodness Gracious</a></p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; A very useful little bag with a sheep batik.&#160; The paint soaked through to the back, which kinda sucks, but I’m sure I’ll find a use for it anyway.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt7MuJpWI/AAAAAAAAAgc/zt9lpW7eRlA/s1600-h/DSCF4273%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4273" border="0" alt="DSCF4273" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt7NEuPyI/AAAAAAAAAgg/GLV_RfhMAmg/DSCF4273_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6441533">Calizona Designs</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Merino</p> <p>Color:&#160; Spring Rainbow</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.1 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; Great rainbow color, nice soft fiber, and it came with delicious smelling lip balm!&#160; Great logo too, I love pin-up girls!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt7oUy1VI/AAAAAAAAAgk/I4ybmTptRT8/s1600-h/DSCF4274%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4274" border="0" alt="DSCF4274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt78G03HI/AAAAAAAAAgo/o6VsFN5ND3s/DSCF4274_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.beesybee.etsy.com">Beesy Bee</a> (cute name and card!)</p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Wensleydale Wool/Local Mohair/Suri Alpaca/Angelina Fiber</p> <p>Color:&#160; No name given, but it goes from light pink to dark purple with bits of purple and green angelina</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.33 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; I love the color of this.&#160; The picture is lying, the color is much more vibrant!&#160; It’s also very sparkly, which the picture doesn’t really show.&#160; I can’t wait to spin this!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt8SD9UPI/AAAAAAAAAgs/HoVlq59x44I/s1600-h/DSCF4275%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4275" border="0" alt="DSCF4275" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt8hldYFI/AAAAAAAAAgw/MPaybGWz-CQ/DSCF4275_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25146746">Giffordables</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Silk Noil and Corriedale</p> <p>Color:&#160; Stepping Stones</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.5 oz!</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; I’ve seen these generous batts in others boxes before and always wanted one.&#160; Finally!&#160; I’m glad I got this color too, it’s not one I would have thought I’d like, but in person it’s really quite lovely.&#160; I think the colors will blend nicely once it’s spun as well.&#160; The link above will take you to her etsy listing where you can buy one of each .5 oz sample she sent in, 2 oz total for $5.50!&#160; Not a bad deal and there’s different fibers for each sample.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt88KRc9I/AAAAAAAAAg0/YnZEKH9dqAA/s1600-h/DSCF4276%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4276" border="0" alt="DSCF4276" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt9Fy29bI/AAAAAAAAAg4/CMR85kM9NkA/DSCF4276_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt9QsulVI/AAAAAAAAAg8/UrUx-PnHzZI/s1600-h/DSCF4277%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4277" border="0" alt="DSCF4277" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt9g60DRI/AAAAAAAAAhA/pdvaOQE_uPc/DSCF4277_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=69756">Vines</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Wool/Bamboo/Dash of nylon icicle</p> <p>Color:&#160; Fool in the Rain</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.2 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; SOFT!&#160; Great color too, this is one of my favorite samples!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt9zaig8I/AAAAAAAAAhE/_4zEjBQ3ewo/s1600-h/DSCF4278%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4278" border="0" alt="DSCF4278" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt-BbT0mI/AAAAAAAAAhI/DHCUTz9GYco/DSCF4278_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5776752">Bohemian Knitter Chic</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Romney Locks</p> <p>Color:&#160; No name given, but one is electric green and the other is purple and blue</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.3 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; I’ve never spun locks before, they kind of scare me a little.&#160; I may seek a little help with spinning this (either from you tube or a friend).&#160; I love the colors though, very vibrant!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt-tlSImI/AAAAAAAAAhM/lfi3hUv2OQI/s1600-h/DSCF4279%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4279" border="0" alt="DSCF4279" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt--JENLI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Ra67rlPtK7w/DSCF4279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5223921">Silver Sun Alpacas</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; 100% Alpaca</p> <p>Color:&#160; Both are un-dyed, cream and dark brown (with traces of lighter brown)</p> <p>Weight:&#160; Brown= 0.1 oz; Cream= 0.2 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; These natural colors are gorgeous, and the fibers are soooo soft!&#160; They came in a really cute sachet too, which I will use for lavender after I spin these up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt_IUoUPI/AAAAAAAAAhU/MWEazCwQAYA/s1600-h/DSCF4280%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4280" border="0" alt="DSCF4280" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt_s0haxI/AAAAAAAAAhY/yvLiXMqooEg/DSCF4280_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6053720">Maude &amp; Me</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; New Zealand Merino</p> <p>Color:&#160; Wellington’s Wednesdays</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.6 oz!</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; I LOVE blue.&#160; And New Zealand.&#160; And this fiber.&#160; ‘Nuff said.&#160; (p.s. Although this shop is in New Zealand, she has FREE SHIPPING!&#160; Let’s help a Kiwi out!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Shdt__7L_TI/AAAAAAAAAhc/6XACqpijatg/s1600-h/DSCF4281%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4281" border="0" alt="DSCF4281" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduAIBMMfI/AAAAAAAAAhg/6uG5TAjkxRo/DSCF4281_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5690754">7 Yaks Design</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; 100% $%&amp;*ing CASHMERE!!!</p> <p>Color:&#160; No name given, it’s Hot Pink though!</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.2 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; I’ve never had (let alone, spun) pure cashmere before.&#160; I’m floored at the generous amount as well.&#160; It came in an adorable, stickered bax too (box + bag= bax!).&#160; I’m excited and scared by this sample.&#160; I’ll have to pm the owner and ask her how I would go about preparing to spin this so I don’t ruin it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduARF-nlI/AAAAAAAAAhk/iePMvz0YLEg/s1600-h/DSCF4282%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4282" border="0" alt="DSCF4282" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduAn47KeI/AAAAAAAAAho/gt7npcheKHY/DSCF4282_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6429567">H.A.Y. (Hampton Artistic Yarns)</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; BFL Wool</p> <p>Color:&#160; Salvia</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.3 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; First, I love the logo!&#160; Second, the orange in this roving is Blaze Orange, my camera didn’t get it bright enough.&#160; I’ve never seen a salvia plant in bloom, but this sample reminds me of a pumpkin.&#160; Maybe I’ll bake it! ;)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduBG1QDHI/AAAAAAAAAhs/MpJEU91QZ6M/s1600-h/DSCF4283%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4283" border="0" alt="DSCF4283" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduBQ9ZjbI/AAAAAAAAAhw/7UqhWjYz3mk/DSCF4283_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.wcmercantile.com/Home_Page.html">WC Mercantile</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Superwash BFL</p> <p>Color:&#160; Flowers and Showers</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.3 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; This batt had some hidden colors that were under the label.&#160; Gorgeous blues and hidden greens and blacks!&#160; Very dark, I love it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduBo4XajI/AAAAAAAAAh0/NySYh_RuFys/s1600-h/DSCF4284%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4284" border="0" alt="DSCF4284" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduBzhzTGI/AAAAAAAAAh4/dADjsVobSxM/DSCF4284_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5039281">All Twisted Up</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Wool &amp; Mohair</p> <p>Color:&#160; Neon Twist</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.3 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; More black!&#160; Yay!&#160; This is a great little braid and these colors would look amazing plied back on themselves.&#160; Will probably have to order some of this.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduCfg6agI/AAAAAAAAAh8/z8TekO2D2yg/s1600-h/DSCF4285%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4285" border="0" alt="DSCF4285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduCgFEepI/AAAAAAAAAiA/fb2TinY0hes/DSCF4285_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=46925">Infinity Yarn and Fiber</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Merino/Mohair</p> <p>Color:&#160; New Growth</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.333 oz (very precise)</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; The colors in this really remind me of spring.&#160; Buttery yellow, golden orange, and the green of a budding tree.&#160; Well captured Infinity!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduC_nUteI/AAAAAAAAAiE/qldN-9QEsuw/s1600-h/DSCF4286%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4286" border="0" alt="DSCF4286" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduDBdCX2I/AAAAAAAAAiI/IAfTbZEnWvc/DSCF4286_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5269241">Desert Garden Farms</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Homegrown Lincoln Lamb/Kid Mohair (animals Fancy and Ozzie are featured on the label. I’m pretty sure this is their fiber)&#160; I also spy some angelina</p> <p>Color:&#160; Tiptoe through the Tulips (LOVE IT!)</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.4 oz</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; This Tumbleweed Batt (what a fun name!) is the perfect blend of pinkish-orange and greens.&#160; I can tell this is going to be a quick spin and I’ll have to get some more to satisfy my fibery urge.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduDnhAyxI/AAAAAAAAAiM/If_z6Bpgy7k/s1600-h/DSCF4287%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4287" border="0" alt="DSCF4287" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShduD40hZYI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/FD0WVYfR22g/DSCF4287_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Vendor:&#160; <a href="http://www.maryjanesattic.net/">Mary Jane’s Attic</a></p> <p>Fiber:&#160; Corriedale</p> <p>Color:&#160; No name given, but as you can see, there’s purple, blue, yellow and green.&#160; ;)</p> <p>Weight:&#160; 0.3 oz (all colors together)</p> <p>Thoughts:&#160; They want me to make felt beads out of this, I’m not sure if I want to.&#160; I don’t really have much use for felt beads, unless they become cat toys.&#160; I’ll probably blend these with another sample.&#160; The colors are very even and bright and the business card is cute too.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>So, 17 fiber samples, plus stitch markers, bags, coupons, and a pattern (I forgot to take a picture of it, it’s for a knitted wristband).&#160; Not too bad, Phatties!&#160; After I get settled into the new place, I hope to acquire some more fiber from several vendors.&#160; Off to bookmark!</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-86234872784859860442009-05-17T21:29:00.001-05:002009-05-17T21:29:56.068-05:00Commencement, Pride, and Relocation<p>Oh Blog.&#160; So much has happened since we last spoke.&#160; Much of it was not visually documented, but will be remembered for at least the next month or until someone reminds me of it.&#160; The ironic thing is that if I spoke to you more frequently, you would remember it for me for all time.&#160; Alas.</p> <p>I do have some picture to <strike>feed you</strike> share with you though.&#160; It’s been busy around here and doesn’t seem to be getting any calmer over the next couple weeks.&#160; </p> <p>First, my darling, sweetie-pie Ray graduated from college (with high honors!) on Friday with an Associates Degree in IT-Computer Network Specialist!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIFYU7mII/AAAAAAAAAek/ogRO0ZM1SfE/s1600-h/DSCF4229%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4229" border="0" alt="DSCF4229" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIFtplRZI/AAAAAAAAAeo/ar2LaD-dqOw/DSCF4229_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="365" /></a> </p> <p>See, look how happy he is!&#160; He’s worked so hard these last two years (and technically still has 3 generals to finish, but will be taken care of soon), and I’m so proud of him!</p> <p>My parents and our friends Matt, Janet, and Jen joined us for a very long, boring ceremony (except when Ray walked on stage and we all screamed like banshees)&#160; *he said he never heard us up there :(*&#160; They are truly great friends.</p> <p>Ray didn’t really feel like going out after a long, people-filled day.&#160; So instead he and his friend (and fellow graduate) Cary did this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIGETeTZI/AAAAAAAAAes/0rSMR8Q1G6g/s1600-h/DSCF4252%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4252" border="0" alt="DSCF4252" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIGX1S_rI/AAAAAAAAAew/KVw7BiFVn0M/DSCF4252_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="296" /></a> </p> <p>Who knew Mormons drank and played Guitar Hero?&#160; </p> <p>Sam partied too, in his own way.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIGpXkvxI/AAAAAAAAAe0/UL17WC3KOI0/s1600-h/DSCF4217%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4217" border="0" alt="DSCF4217" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIG5lMMuI/AAAAAAAAAe4/2tqCVA9xJ1w/DSCF4217_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="283" /></a> </p> <p>This machine runs on Kitty Power!</p> <p>Ahhhhh, anyway.&#160; It was a good night and I think we’re all glad it’s over.</p> <p>Moving on, I finally finished my <a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2008/09/seven-deadly-spins-shipment-4.html">Pride shawl</a> from way back when.&#160; It was my first all lace project and it was really fun.&#160; I think it turned out pretty nice.&#160; Here it is before blocking:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIHXMkF6I/AAAAAAAAAe8/KcTebBjwHp0/s1600-h/DSCF4254%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4254" border="0" alt="DSCF4254" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIHjEoSeI/AAAAAAAAAfA/D7zR0s6Z06Y/DSCF4254_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="385" /></a> </p> <p>I really like the cabled edge, and of course all the holes.&#160; I even didn’t mind the cleverly disguised bobbles, called nupps.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIHyuqsTI/AAAAAAAAAfE/2nxu95LmVko/s1600-h/DSCF4256%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4256" border="0" alt="DSCF4256" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIIbYdj8I/AAAAAAAAAfI/q-WjhbuRpYA/DSCF4256_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="341" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Most of all, I love how the color changes.&#160; It’s the <a href="http://www.theuniquesheep.com/Colors/gradiance.htm">gradiance</a> line from The Unique Sheep.&#160; From gold and orange/red, to pink and purple.&#160; Beautiful!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDIIsSJcoI/AAAAAAAAAfM/ZDIao8mvySQ/s1600-h/DSCF4255%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4255" border="0" alt="DSCF4255" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ShDII4oQyXI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/BmNOTjNBZtk/DSCF4255_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="465" /></a> </p> <p>I’ll probably be blocking this later this week when I have a day off, that way I can make sure it doesn’t become a cat bed.</p> <p>Not that I’ve been overly talkative on here as of late, but that trend won’t be changing anytime soon.&#160; We’re moving in a couple weeks and we have an amazing amount of “stuff”.&#160; And it all needs packing.&#160; I’ll be sure to post pictures of our new place (a slightly larger apartment, with the added bonus of a private basement!&#160; One that DOESN’T have black mold growing in it!).&#160; We’re pretty excited to be moving into a quieter area and away from all the college nonsense.</p> <p>So the next time you hear from me, I might not have much hair left, but I should be relocated!</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-88667906729727110552009-04-09T15:21:00.001-05:002009-04-09T15:21:23.349-05:00Samples Spun and Lessons Learned<p>I’m a little behind with the fiber posting.&#160; Since I last posted, my birthday has come and gone.&#160; It was a good day/weekend spent with friends, music, food, and alcohol.&#160; Lots of fun.&#160; So much, that I didn’t take any pictures so you’ll just have to believe me that I had a good time.&#160; For my birthday, Ray got me a new drop spindle.&#160; THAT I got a picture of.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5YscFJSCI/AAAAAAAAAdc/1qwZWPTMXqI/s1600-h/DSCF4176%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4176" border="0" alt="DSCF4176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5YssngI1I/AAAAAAAAAdg/qpntG08yvW0/DSCF4176_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>It’s from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5977063">Zebisis Designs</a> and I LOVE it!&#160; It’s got a carved black hardwood shaft and a green Brazilian Agate whorl.&#160; She even put a notch on it for me.&#160; My spindle came with a sample of fiber (as well as a larger one thrown in for my birthday!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5Ys-BujxI/AAAAAAAAAdk/CBtJyW3owss/s1600-h/DSCF4167%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4167" border="0" alt="DSCF4167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5YtfCv9_I/AAAAAAAAAdo/4UpmlrKqBOk/DSCF4167_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="264" /></a>&#160; </p> <p></p> <p>The blue is 65% mulberry silk/35% silk noil and the green is a blend of Bamboo, Corriedale, SW Merino, Cashmere, and Firestar.&#160; It’s so pretty it deserves a close-up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5Ytkb4LKI/AAAAAAAAAds/7cxWyaarPYI/s1600-h/DSCF4173%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4173" border="0" alt="DSCF4173" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5YtzvtlWI/AAAAAAAAAdw/drMkouA3GdA/DSCF4173_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="269" /></a> </p> <p>Free fiber aside, you should really check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5977063">Zebisis</a>.&#160; The owner, and sole proprietor, Mayisha is so nice and her spindles and fiber are gorgeous!&#160; I keep going back to her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5977063">shop</a> to see what’s new, but I’ve had to stop recently because I can’t afford to buy anything.&#160; It’s so hard not to.</p> <p>As I posted early in March, I received a <a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2009/03/march-phat-ness.html">Phat Fiber box</a>.&#160; With my new spindle I’ve been playing with some of the fiber samples.&#160; Here’s what I’ve done so far:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5Yudgf_4I/AAAAAAAAAd0/txz3595F2F8/s1600-h/DSCF4189%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4189" border="0" alt="DSCF4189" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5YupOU6nI/AAAAAAAAAd4/B9mfcTJolyE/DSCF4189_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="275" /></a> </p> <p>This is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5747299">Extreme Spinning</a> BonBon, and my first attempt at plying.&#160; I had a little trouble spinning this one.&#160; I think my drafting was uneven and so some spots are thicker and less spun than others.&#160; This made plying difficult because it kept breaking at those weak points.&#160; Lesson learned and tucked under the belt.&#160; Another thing I learned from this first skein, is that I LOVE plying!&#160; Ohmygod!&#160; It’s sooooo much fun and watching the colors twist together and contrast each other is so rewarding.&#160; I find myself wanting to ply my commercial yarn just to see what it does together.&#160; Anyway.&#160; Next.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5YveeO9HI/AAAAAAAAAd8/bhqm74nm0Hg/s1600-h/DSCF4184%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4184" border="0" alt="DSCF4184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5Yv8Jq7bI/AAAAAAAAAeA/S_Tog7oFpMo/DSCF4184_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="276" /></a> </p> <p>This attempt went much better.&#160; This is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5274932">Fox Hop</a> sample (Corriedale Cross, Shetland Fleece, SW Merino, Alpaca, Bamboo, Sea Cell, and Angelina) plied with the <a href="http://www.teresasdesk.com/">Teresa Levite</a> sample (Shetland Wool/Tussah Silk).&#160; I was able to spin this a little thinner and didn’t have any problems with breakage when plying (which I still love).&#160; I need to get a WPI tool, but my best guess is that this is a bulky weight and is about 11 yds.&#160; Not bad for a sample.</p> <p>Yesterday, I spun this little beauty up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5YwE2ZAMI/AAAAAAAAAeE/oic2IrSKTME/s1600-h/DSCF4194%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4194" border="0" alt="DSCF4194" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/Sd5YwmHjneI/AAAAAAAAAeI/D1wMxIny3kQ/DSCF4194_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="283" /></a> </p> <p>This is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5087454">East Kentucky Fibers</a> sample.&#160; There were five mini samples in different colorways and one large natural sample.&#160; I spun the five colored samples into one single and plied it with the natural.&#160; I added the <a href="http://www.moonlightandlaughter.com/">Moonlight and Laughter</a> sample from the January box to this because I thought the colors would fit in and I didn’t have a whole lot of it.&#160; I think this threw off the ratio of color to natural.&#160; I ended up with a yard or two extra of color and so I took the end and plied it with itself.&#160; That’s why you see some sections that are not twisted with white.&#160; I’m not sure how strong that will be, and I may end up cutting it off, but it looks really nice in a skein.&#160; This ended up as a worsted weight (see, I’m spinning thinner) and is about 10 yds.&#160; I absolutely love it, but have no idea what I’m going to do with it.&#160; Guess I’ll have to check <a href="http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2008/03/500-patterns-to-knit-with-1-285-yards.html">Simple Knits</a> to see if there is anything I like.</p> <p>Amongst all this spinning I am still knitting, I just haven’t been posting about it much.&#160; I’m STILL working on <a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2009/01/life-in-phat-lane.html">Ray’s scarf</a>, and have been plucking away at the <a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2009/01/life-in-phat-lane.html">Pride shawl</a>.&#160; Although, we just got in a fight the other day (the shawl and I, not Ray and I) and some angry words were spoken.&#160; It’s not really the shawl’s fault, it’s the instructions and mine.&#160; It’s the instructions fault for being wrong, and mine for not looking up the errata (of which I knew there was) before picking this project back up.&#160; So when I finally did look at the errata and realized 11 rows later that I had started the color change one repeat too early, I may have said some awful things to the shawl that I will have to take back (along with those 11 rows).&#160; No, I didn’t put a lifeline in before the color change.&#160; I hadn’t needed one up to this point (and technically wouldn’t have, had I checked for pattern changes).&#160; I tried to run a lifeline through the stitches below the row I need to rip back to, but this only resulted in more angry words and frustration.&#160; So, I tink.&#160; I would have pictures of this wonderful, sweet, beautiful, and not-at-all-the-bane-of-my-existence shawl, but aside from the aforementioned attributes it is hard to photograph so you can actually see what it looks like.&#160; When laying there, it just kind of looks like a lumpy pile of tangled stitches.&#160; You have to stretch it and block it to really get the idea, and I just don’t have the gumption to do that until it’s done.&#160; Ok, I’m off to humble myself to an organized pile of string…I mean, the most beautiful project my needles have ever produced.</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-26736868421189054492009-03-23T21:16:00.001-05:002009-03-23T21:16:13.360-05:00How Well Do You Know Me?<p>&#160;</p> <p>Would I wear this?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SchCZ8VweiI/AAAAAAAAAdM/dTUf-R39N0k/s1600-h/DSCF4150_edited-1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4150_edited-1" border="0" alt="DSCF4150_edited-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SchCaPqyD5I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/dWjh7eaUNyA/DSCF4150_edited-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="165" /></a> </p> <p>If you answered “HAH!”, then you are right.&#160; This certainly is not a pattern that I would ever pick out for myself (but perhaps for those I don’t like), but then again, I didn’t.&#160; No, this pattern happens to be part of the final shipment of the 7 Deadly Spins Club.&#160; This, my friends, is Lust.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SchCalHiKNI/AAAAAAAAAdU/UZ61Nbu8n5A/s1600-h/DSCF4140%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4140" border="0" alt="DSCF4140" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SchCbMI7P5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/PdVMFnsFESo/DSCF4140_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="325" /></a> From the insert*:</p> <p><em>…designed a knit and crochet embellished combination scarf (</em>I beg to differ on this being a scarf)<em> to satisfy your “lust” for both techniques, and even added in some special pearl bead touches</em> (pearl beads, on my neck?&#160; you shouldn’t have, really, you SHOULDN’T have.&#160; my brain is way too far in the gutter to have pearls on my neck.&#160; I’d never stop blushing, and if you know me, you know that’s true.)&#160; <em>The yarn being used- Unique Sheep Verve in American Beauty Rose </em>(great color and yardage)<em> and Luxe in Lusty Pink and Leaf Green complete the design for a gorgeous finished scarf </em>(again, ?)</p> <p>It kind of goes on like that, explaining why this project fulfills my craft “lust”.&#160; While I’m sure this project would be fun to make, and I do like making little crocheted flowers, I just wouldn’t be able to look at the end product with a straight face.&#160; In this patterns (meager) defense, the pearl beads are optional.&#160; </p> <p>Aside from the pattern clearly not aimed at me, the yarn is very lovely.&#160; The color of the red isn’t really accurate in the picture.&#160; It’s a much more rose-colored red, with shots of reddish-purple.&#160; And there’s 400 yds of it!&#160; The pink and green are also very pretty and I’m sure I’ll find something cute to make with this yarn.&#160; Thrown in with the project supplies was a bag of hershey’s kisses and some lip balm.</p> <p>I was a little disappointed that they decided to re-use two yarn bases in this shipment, Verve (Gluttony) and Luxe (Pride).&#160; I would have really liked to have seen a new base featured (like <a href="http://www.theuniquesheep.com/bases/singularityinsilk.htm">Singularity in Silk</a>, <a href="http://www.theuniquesheep.com/bases/silktwist.htm">Silk Twist</a>, or <a href="http://www.theuniquesheep.com/bases/sashimi.htm">Sashimi</a>.&#160; Any of these would have fit Lust in my eyes).&#160; However, they did pick the yarns from my two favorite projects, so I know I like them.&#160; </p> <p>So, would I join again?&#160; No.&#160; While I enjoyed not knowing what/how the sin would be each month, I have realized that my mind/tastes are far more sinister than those in charge of this club.&#160; There were definitely plenty of people that were/are pleased with all of their shipments, but I am one of the few that feels let down.</p> <p>I will definitely be buying <a href="http://www.theuniquesheep.com/yarn.htm">Unique Sheep yarn</a> (the yarn was never a disappointment), and when I do so I’ll be purchasing it through <a href="http://www.woolgirl.com/">Woolgirl</a> (the shop I signed up for the club through).&#160; She carries all different lines of yarn and has a really good selection.&#160; However, I am going to be very weary of signing up for any themed clubs from now on, unless I’ve seen how they tend to interpret them.&#160; This was my first club, and I learned a lot about how to select them and I did have fun talking with others on the boards.</p> <p>So this is me, and now you know.&#160; (take it away Jason….)</p> <p>*I left the designers name out because I’m not attacking her personally, I’ve seen her other patterns and really like a lot of them.&#160; Just not this one.</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-75957213375837074162009-03-20T18:27:00.001-05:002009-03-20T18:49:51.151-05:00March Phat-ness<p>You got it, Bitches!&#160; I got another <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/">Phat Fiber</a> box!&#160; This month the box sold out in 45 seconds during the first round!&#160; 45 FREAKING SECONDS!!!&#160; I even woke up early with a hangover from the night before and a bit sleep deprived, and I still got one.&#160; I was quick on the draw I tell you.&#160; My etsy-foo is not to be messed with.&#160; So, yeah, enough of my bragging.&#160; On to the box!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl484HY3I/AAAAAAAAAaA/gVx8FizjgbY/s1600-h/DSCF4102%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4102" border="0" alt="DSCF4102" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl5U27o5I/AAAAAAAAAaE/ZzLKgtpIKxc/DSCF4102_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="260" /></a> </p> <p>Mine was decorated with all these cute stamps.&#160; Jessie said her kids helped out and I think they gave my box a little extra love.&#160; I could feel it, and I think it rocks!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQrk8gM7yI/AAAAAAAAAc8/MJcKAeiWHRY/s1600-h/DSCF4139_edited-1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4139_edited-1" border="0" alt="DSCF4139_edited-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQrlnBzsII/AAAAAAAAAdA/PWePMHOAK1U/DSCF4139_edited-1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="301" /></a> </p> <p>In the envelope/recipe (for Colcannon, Irish mashed potatoes, the theme was Celtic this month), there were coupons and stitch markers.&#160; The coupons are for <a href="http://www.northernbayhandspun.etsy.com">Northern Bay Handspun</a>, <a href="http://www.wooliebullie.etsy.com">Wooliebullie</a>, <a href="http://www.natchwoolie.etsy.com">Natchwoolie</a>, <a href="http://folkfiberarts.blogspot.com">SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival</a> (put on by Laura Murphy of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=89689">Wildethyme</a>), <a href="http://danidocrafty.etsy.com">Danido Crafty</a>, <a href="http://www.myfairbaglady.etsy.com">My Fair Bag Lady</a> (no coupon, just a very vague business card), <a href="http://www.carissamarie.etsy.com">The Cupcake Factory</a>, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=89689">Extreme Spinning</a>.&#160; The coupons were very generous this time around and it’s going to be difficult not to use all of them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl735k8rI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/APZIrw8Ss6o/s1600-h/DSCF4134%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4134" border="0" alt="DSCF4134" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl8cOvWnI/AAAAAAAAAaU/yViRyBujC1E/DSCF4134_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="286" /></a> </p> <p>Also in the box, a stone pendant from <a href="http://www.ambrosiaandbliss.etsy.com">Ambrosia and Bliss</a>,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl9Z3augI/AAAAAAAAAaY/d7TgzTSgze4/s1600-h/DSCF4137%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4137" border="0" alt="DSCF4137" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl90copVI/AAAAAAAAAac/SF8Za_3gElk/DSCF4137_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="296" /></a> </p> <p>a very pretty stitch marker tied with the most adorable little bow, from <a href="http://www.twiceshearedsheep.etsy.com">The Twice Sheared Sheep</a>,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl-WGjMyI/AAAAAAAAAag/HVRA0jSn4Sk/s1600-h/DSCF4103%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4103" border="0" alt="DSCF4103" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl-z61QgI/AAAAAAAAAak/1WQndDqCXZM/DSCF4103_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="286" /></a> </p> <p>and a photo card of a very delicious looking raspberry from <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/marlynscorner">Marlyn’s Corner Store</a>.&#160; And that was just in the envelope, people!&#160; Onward!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQl_qfYR4I/AAAAAAAAAao/ccP9r6ZWPvg/s1600-h/DSCF4105%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4105" border="0" alt="DSCF4105" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmAKpKrNI/AAAAAAAAAas/v3K3mvksIpU/DSCF4105_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="300" /></a> </p> <p><em>Note:&#160; The dollar did not come in the box, if anyone did get dollars in their box though, I call shenanigans.&#160; Mine came from my pocket and it’s just there for scale.</em></p> <p>First, some adorable samples of Rambouillet and Merino top from <a href="http://www.sarahwood3587.etsy.com">East Kentucky Fibers</a>.&#160; From what I gather from the card, the cream (undyed) is Merino top and the dyed samples are Rambouillet in her various dyelots.&#160; They’re very soft and the colors are nice and rich.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmA7sZoTI/AAAAAAAAAaw/1YzrpsfFRno/s1600-h/DSCF4107%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4107" border="0" alt="DSCF4107" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmBTjZy-I/AAAAAAAAAa0/7N9h2852gJw/DSCF4107_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="300" /></a> </p> <p>From <a href="http://www.foxyie.etsy.com">The Fox Hop</a>, about .5oz of Corriedale cross, Shetland Fleece, Superwash Merino, Alpaca, Bamboo, Sea Cell, and Angelina.&#160; She labels it as a Foxyie Batt, but I’m gonna call it “The Kitchen Sink”, cause it’s got everything but that.&#160; It’s hard to tell in this picture, but the angelina in this batt absolutely glitters!&#160; I keep turning it so the light catches it all over and it just sparkles.&#160; <em>Sigh.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmCFY7_hI/AAAAAAAAAa4/_EXsAC6qfjY/s1600-h/DSCF4110%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4110" border="0" alt="DSCF4110" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmChxadgI/AAAAAAAAAa8/gKc7H-6KbgE/DSCF4110_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="293" /></a> </p> <p>Ohhhhh.&#160; <a href="http://www.fiberphiles.etsy.com">Fiberphile Alchemy</a>.&#160; I love her colors and this one is no exception.&#160;&#160; She sent in 5.2g of Merino Bamboo (80/20) Sock yarn in the Emerald Isle colorway.&#160; It’s so squishy and soft!&#160; Quote from her card:&#160; <em>Fiberphile Alchemy is dyed in random overlapping layers of two to four harmonious colors.&#160; This technique creates beautiful blending effects and results in a rich, mulit-dimensional colorscape for your finished project.</em>&#160; How could you not want some of that?!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmDSgAPZI/AAAAAAAAAbA/7XOrVMv8VtI/s1600-h/DSCF4112%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4112" border="0" alt="DSCF4112" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmEKIX5CI/AAAAAAAAAbE/Lzx7Aq3Sclo/DSCF4112_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="286" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.moonlightandlaughter.etsy.com">Moonlight and Laughter</a> sent in an 18 yd skein of Merino/Nylon (75/25) Superwash Sock yarn in the colorway “Kil Kelly”.&#160; It is very squishy and looks like it will have great stitch definition.&#160; The colorway reminds me of my Mom, they’re very much her colors, so therefore I love it!&#160; (she also had a coupon for 20% off your first purchase, so I might have to get a skein of this for mother’s day)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQrmjQdxfI/AAAAAAAAAdE/JyDC8NsM-1k/s1600-h/DSCF4113_edited-1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF4113_edited-1" border="0" alt="DSCF4113_edited-1" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQrnZrIaoI/AAAAAAAAAdI/NuoIHUc27gA/DSCF4113_edited-1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="212" height="162" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmGa4TG5I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/pCbfd_5Nqi0/s1600-h/DSCF4114%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4114" border="0" alt="DSCF4114" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmGq06YGI/AAAAAAAAAbU/iu_XHnGOdPo/DSCF4114_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="161" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.punkjordane.etsy.com">Punk Jordane</a> sent in a really uniquely packaged mini skein of Superwash Wool.&#160; The buttery yellow/soft yarn is wrapped around a bamboo stalk!&#160; Cool!&#160; She also sent a sample of her scented bath salts.&#160; The scent is Full Bloom and she uses real sea salt and cosmetic grade fragrance oils.&#160; It smells really good and it seems like a little would go a long way.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmHrqaGDI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Q3winbZoY7I/s1600-h/DSCF4116%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4116" border="0" alt="DSCF4116" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmIXramwI/AAAAAAAAAbc/Tvh6iTjOd2A/DSCF4116_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="299" /></a> </p> <p>I LOVE the colors on this yarn!&#160; The way it’s spun reminds me of the sample from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5898101">Fuzzy Bunny</a> yarns in January, but it’s not.&#160; It’s from <a href="http://www.simplytwisted.etsy.com">Simply Twisted Yarns</a>, and it’s got me simply twisted!&#160; There is no fiber content included, but it weighs 23.6g and is about Sport weight.&#160; I can’t wait to see how these colors blend!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmJG6S_1I/AAAAAAAAAbg/arGE4oZMfe8/s1600-h/DSCF4117%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4117" border="0" alt="DSCF4117" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmJ-IrOvI/AAAAAAAAAbk/vlOhCuMzPG4/DSCF4117_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="291" /></a> </p> <p>This lovely ball of fluff is from <a href="http://www.teresasdesk.com">Tersa Levite Studio</a>.&#160; It’s .25oz of Hand Dyed &amp; Blended Shetland Wool/Tussah Silk (60/40).&#160; The color is actually brighter than this picture shows.&#160; It’s almost neon green, love it! </p> <p>This is about the time in the photo session where Sam started to take interest.&#160; So most of the following photos will feature him, or some part of him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmLMoTGvI/AAAAAAAAAbo/poZSe-IU2ws/s1600-h/DSCF4120%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4120" border="0" alt="DSCF4120" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmLmOO5fI/AAAAAAAAAbs/jLaKEfWiZeI/DSCF4120_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="307" /></a>See, there’s a paw.&#160; And some handspun from <a href="http://www.dragonmaille.etsy.com">Dragonmaille</a> (great name!)&#160; It’s 13yds of Alpaca/wool blend in the Celtic Isle colorway.&#160; It has shades of green and brown that are hard to pick up in this picture.&#160; Believe me, it’s very pretty. It’s also spun really well, it’s very even and soft.&#160; I hope one day I can spin this nicely. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmMr2K_YI/AAAAAAAAAbw/YwkRrLowJRY/s1600-h/DSCF4121%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4121" border="0" alt="DSCF4121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmNY75xII/AAAAAAAAAb0/6ZW9WzNYN1M/DSCF4121_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="303" /></a> </p> <p>Three different colors of Suri Alpaca Locks from <a href="http://www.moonwoodfarm.com">Moonwood Farm</a>.&#160; The colors are (top to bottom) Irish Moss, Celtic Gold, and Light Fawn.&#160; From the card:&#160; <em>These samples are washed but will need to be combed before use to remove vegetable matter.</em>&#160; I don’t really have anything to comb them with (except for my comb, but I don’t think that’s the kind they’re talking about), and I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do with them.&#160; But they are pretty, and soft and one day I may find out how to spin with them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmOVilciI/AAAAAAAAAb4/nj0RAAYKjtA/s1600-h/DSCF4122%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4122" border="0" alt="DSCF4122" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmO0FtT2I/AAAAAAAAAb8/RuUfEMnwxGM/DSCF4122_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="309" /></a> </p> <p>Sam’s helping.&#160; This is quite a generous skein from <a href="http://www.abstractfiber.com">Abstract Fibers</a>.&#160; 25.5g of Mighty Sock (Superwash Merino/Tencel; 50/50) in a Husband-worthy colorway, Steel Bridge.&#160; It’s shiny and soft, and Sam-approved.&#160; That’s good enough for me!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmPtKhB2I/AAAAAAAAAcA/4lEHqW4T45w/s1600-h/DSCF4125%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4125" border="0" alt="DSCF4125" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmQLj9TMI/AAAAAAAAAcE/UfSFTy67VoI/DSCF4125_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="297" /></a> It’s called Cordelia!&#160; (no, not after the Buffy cohort/Angel sidekick, but I’m going to pretend it is)&#160; That would be all I need to know, but I’m sure some of you aren’t as easily convinced (or huge dorks like me, but I certainly know some of you are!).&#160; This is a 15yd skein of Extravagance Sock Yarn from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5114588">Knit It Up</a> (<a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2009/02/lavender-and-plum.html">remember</a> them, I got some smelly and some soft from them).&#160; It’s Superwash Merino/Silk/Nylon/Silver Fibers (63/20/15/2).&#160; It’s got bling, yo!&#160; You can’t tell in this picture, it’s very subtle, but it does sparkle.&#160; Also, the color is actually a little darker than this picture shows.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmRWeXINI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Qv_ByJnZM9o/s1600-h/DSCF4126%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4126" border="0" alt="DSCF4126" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmSIV0T-I/AAAAAAAAAcM/CMbfExz5CD0/DSCF4126_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="315" /></a> From <a href="http://www.aurorafiberarts.com">Aurora Fiber Arts</a>, this is 2oz of Fireweed Worsted Merino Wool in the Eire colorway.&#160; The colors are lovely and I’m always on the lookout for a nice worsted wool.&#160; I will be keeping and eye on her site for sure!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmTDz8Q5I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/nJT4WkjYzjE/s1600-h/DSCF4128%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="DSCF4128" border="0" alt="DSCF4128" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmTnL3KjI/AAAAAAAAAcU/pbySE0ymiF8/DSCF4128_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="156" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmUQkW-tI/AAAAAAAAAcY/Q2hTaYzQN7E/s1600-h/DSCF4129%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4129" border="0" alt="DSCF4129" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmUwFfrqI/AAAAAAAAAcc/IFk9uZMn3vg/DSCF4129_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="205" height="156" /></a>This deliciousness is from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5747299">Extreme Spinning</a>.&#160; There are so many good things about this fiber that I think I better let her explain it.&#160; From the card: </p> <p>&#160;<em>Since I love knitting things that CAN be washed, especially for kids and socks, but hate the idea of always having to work with superwash chemicals, I searched all over for the right wool.&#160; Finally, I found it!&#160; From a small, family farm in the mid-west </em>(what-up!)<em> comes this Certified Organic wool.&#160; These beautiful sheep are raised on open pastures and lots of love!&#160; Happy Sheep make Happy Fibers!</em>&#160;</p> <p><em>The roving in your hands comes from Suffolk/Hampshire crosses which are “down” breeds, not wool breeds.&#160; Instead of crimp, down wool has curl, keeping the yarn bouncy even if spun worsted.&#160; For an extremely squishy yarn, spin it woolen! </em>(I don’t know what that means) <em>&#160; The more you wash it, the softer it becomes.&#160; Spin, Knit &amp; Wash!</em></p> <p><em>I have also used no harsh chemical dyes to create this machine washable wool.&#160;&#160; The colors you see were created by the new Greener Shades Dyes, an organically certified line of dyes created without use of heavy metals.&#160; And I use an organic soap to wash my fibers.&#160; I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!</em></p> <p>I don’t think I need to say anything more.&#160; Except that those two pictures are the same batt (approx. .25oz), top and bottom.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmV9yfpuI/AAAAAAAAAcg/tp-38Zqs1nM/s1600-h/DSCF4130%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4130" border="0" alt="DSCF4130" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmWou3aWI/AAAAAAAAAck/szSt59NykEg/DSCF4130_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="322" /></a> Yay!&#160; Another KIP bag!&#160; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=90658">Ruddawg</a> makes awesome bags.&#160; This one is a little smaller than the other one I have, but it’ll fit in my “fancy” purse much nicer.&#160; She’s always getting in new fabric so check her site often!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmXWJrP-I/AAAAAAAAAco/Y8O4ZlVb0II/s1600-h/DSCF4131%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4131" border="0" alt="DSCF4131" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmYbSKngI/AAAAAAAAAcs/nbhZTpSOSi0/DSCF4131_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="308" /></a>Sam would NOT leave this skein alone!&#160; I don’t blame him either (he gets his great taste from his Mommy), it’s <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6089802">Hedgehog Fibers</a>!!!&#160; My very first 100% silk roving in a delicious colorway (that’s actually the same colors as my cat, no wonder he likes it), Traffic Jam.&#160; I don’t know how many oz it is, but however much, it will never be enough.&#160; I (and Sam) heart Hedgehog fibers!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmZa_2hII/AAAAAAAAAcw/cqbxKMBzHwc/s1600-h/DSCF4138%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCF4138" border="0" alt="DSCF4138" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/ScQmcNGyqrI/AAAAAAAAAc4/I7UmyaH1wcM/DSCF4138_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="309" /></a> Hiding out at the bottom of the box, was the <a href="http://www.bohoknitterchic.etsy.com">Boho Knitter</a>!&#160; Well, not actually her, but one of her patterns.&#160; The Bocca Baciata hair comb pattern, which now that my hair is short, wouldn’t really work.&#160; But I know someone who would look adorable in this, I’m thinking black and red (what do you think Jen?).</p> <p>So that is my box.&#160; I think the vendors were very generous this month, most of the sample sizes were very large.&#160; I thought the ratio of different types of samples was pretty good (although I would have preferred more fiber, but I think that’s because I’m just getting hooked).&#160; No <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/2009/03/where-in-world-is-knickolas.html">Knickolas</a> for me, which I was a little sad about.&#160; I wanted to take pictures of him with Franklin Habit, who will be speaking at our library’s Knit-In next week.&#160; Oh well, I might be chauffeuring him around for a bit and Knick is the one missing out.&#160; :)&#160; </p> <p>Please click on the links and show these Phatties your love.&#160; These are all independent businesses and they can really use our help.&#160; All of the products I have received have been high quality.&#160; The prices at most of these shops are very reasonable as well, they understand that in an economic crisis they are not exactly top priority for the budget (but that depends on how faithful you are to your budget!).&#160; They go out of their way to make sure that your shopping experience is a good one, and some of them even throw in little extras!&#160; Ok.&#160; This concludes my advertising broadcast.&#160; Pictures of handspun to come when I get my birthday <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22316512">spindle</a> from Ray!</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-75398983845952192832009-03-09T22:05:00.001-05:002009-03-09T22:05:35.966-05:00A Gift From A Friend<p>My friend, Maura, went to visit our friend, Heather, in Mankato, MN this last weekend.&#160; We had planned on going together, but work has kept me from being able to go out of town this month.&#160; So, Maura took her first trip (since living in WI) out of town by herself to visit a friend.&#160; It sounds like she had a really fun time, and I can't wait until we can go together and get into some crazy shenanigans. </p> <p>At one of the several yarn shops they went to, Maura saw some fiber that she knew I would love.&#160; So, being the awesome and wonderful friend that she is, she bought it for me.&#160; Squee!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbXY5mJwmoI/AAAAAAAAAZg/hLYZ8wVDuK4/s1600-h/DSCF4082%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="277" alt="DSCF4082" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbXY6Q30bsI/AAAAAAAAAZk/Q6kWEVziVkE/DSCF4082_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It's gorgeous, soft, shiny, and SOFT!&#160; Leave it to Maura.&#160; She knew that I was kind of jonesing for some fiber so she brought me a fix!&#160; I love her.&#160; Check this out: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbXY7D0N2sI/AAAAAAAAAZo/ytZoerYX6RQ/s1600-h/DSCF4086%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="514" alt="DSCF4086" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbXY7wvrBbI/AAAAAAAAAZs/DF9JgMGFQhc/DSCF4086_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>See?&#160; GORGEOUS! </p> <p>But, you know, she gave this to me on Saturday night.&#160; And I had Sunday off.&#160; Do you see where this is going?&#160; Well, if not, I'll help you out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbXY8-xDM9I/AAAAAAAAAZw/c-uWhz8hIVE/s1600-h/DSCF4093%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="316" alt="DSCF4093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbXY9iLRriI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/FqBQYaDgFV8/DSCF4093_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This was spun on my Louet drop spindle.&#160; It's a worsted to bulky weight yarn and is approx. 38 yds.&#160; I'm thinking I might be getting a new spindle for my birthday, one that is lighter.&#160; So then I'll be able to spin thinner weights, and therefore make my fiber go a little further.&#160; I also need to work on not over spinning as well.&#160; I tend to get parts of the yarn that coil up on themselves.&#160; This yarn is still really soft though and I think it will make a very nice neck warmer.&#160; Or something.&#160; I could really use a cute crochet mesh hat to go with my new haircut and the soon-to-be-warming weather.&#160; Hmmmm..... so many possibilities.&#160; Want to see another one?&#160; Okay, okay, here you go.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbXY-9QQZdI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/lcMpx1YcUyo/s1600-h/DSCF4100%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="318" alt="DSCF4100" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbXY_uVrE7I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/PSEM18CAFic/DSCF4100_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" border="0" /></a></p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-9373446435146843132009-03-06T23:12:00.001-06:002009-03-06T23:12:43.188-06:00Hey Big Haircut!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbICO44zzZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/_uh7zc5qShI/s1600-h/DSCF4073%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="306" alt="DSCF4073" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbICPt0J0gI/AAAAAAAAAZM/eHwoU_od-94/DSCF4073_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" border="0" /></a> <p>Yay!&#160; I got my hairs cut today!&#160; My (awesome) friend, Leah, does hair and nails down at the <a href="http://www.orangepearlsalon.com/index.nxg" target="_blank">Orange Pearl Salon</a> (call and make an appointment with her and tell her I sent you, she'll give you a great head massage!) in La Crosse.&#160;&#160;&#160; She gives great cut.&#160; Much better cut than I do pictures, but here are a few more anyway.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbICQZubwdI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/2Yxx48nCp1Y/s1600-h/DSCF4063%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF4063" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbICQ-_FnsI/AAAAAAAAAZU/pOaWMMseXs0/DSCF4063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbICRwtzj1I/AAAAAAAAAZY/k2VtvBGKwIE/s1600-h/DSCF4075%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF4075" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SbICSXgPUdI/AAAAAAAAAZc/PHEy0bmi3mY/DSCF4075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Sam approves (as much as his grumpy nature will allow anyway).&#160; I also went to see The Watchmen today.&#160; I won't say too much, since I know a few people that read this haven't seen it yet.&#160; I'll just say.......hmmmh (that's a pensive hmmmh, not a pompous hmmmh) and ouch.&#160; Take that how you may. </p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-41741502141455604762009-02-28T15:26:00.001-06:002009-02-28T15:26:41.610-06:00Lavender and Plum<p>My shipment from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5114588" target="_blank">Knit It Up</a> (I didn't realize they had a longer name, the etsy site is just called Knit) came today!&#160; My spoils:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SamsDoCqMyI/AAAAAAAAAZA/UFHzEJH3n9Y/s1600-h/DSCF4041%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="312" alt="DSCF4041" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SamsEHYPaEI/AAAAAAAAAZE/xmT87THyvGI/DSCF4041_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>2.5 oz of BFL fiber in the Plum colorway, and one pound(!) of Provencal Lavender buds.&#160; That bag that you see?&#160; There are TWO of them.&#160; I know what I'm going to do with some of this, but lordy, I shall never want of lavender again.</p> <p>So now I have more fiber to practice with on my spindle, and the picture is a pretty accurate depiction of the color so it's going to be some gorgeous yarn!&#160; </p> <p>Speaking of more fiber:&#160; do you remember that <a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2009/01/life-in-phat-lane.html" target="_blank">Phat Fiber box</a> I got in January?&#160; The one that led me to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5114588" target="_blank">Knit It Up</a> (and so many other wonderful shops)?&#160; Well, if you head over to the <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, there is a giveaway for 4oz. of some great superwash merino, a scarf pattern, and a cute pattern holder/reader!&#160; All from <a href="http://sisyarn.terapad.com/index.cfm?fa=contentShop.home" target="_blank">Samantha In Stitches Yarn</a>.&#160; Check it out!</p> <p>As for me, I'm off to spin up some of this fiber and plan out a way to contain this lavender in my stash.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>P.S.&#160; If this post has led you to buy something from Knit It Up's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5114588" target="_blank">etsy store</a>, please put my etsy name (ZombieEatsSam) in the comments section.&#160; She has a pretty kick-ass referral program.&#160; Thanks!</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-42228006933755660952009-02-23T17:38:00.001-06:002009-02-23T17:38:13.943-06:00I've Got a New Drug<p>I finally broke down and tried my hand at spinning.&#160; I had avoided trying it out because I knew that I would probably really like it (a lot), and therefore it would be cutting into my yarn budget.&#160; However, Maura had given me the drop spindle I gave her for Christmas a while back (she has a wheel now) and I had some roving lying around that I had won in early January (a giveaway on the Phat Fiber <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>), from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=42417" target="_blank">Desired Haven Farms</a>.&#160; It's the &quot;waste not want not 2.&quot;&#160; She took all the thrums from her spinning and carded them with some wool and angora, then dyed the whole thing sky blue.&#160; The staple (or fiber length) is very short, and so it made it a little bit harder to work with.&#160; I think it turned out ok though, especially for being my first try.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SaMzUg3SZTI/AAAAAAAAAYo/tvO8b_9QUes/s1600-h/DSCF4009%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="277" alt="DSCF4009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SaMzVa2W1bI/AAAAAAAAAYs/1GGNLIRIxXg/DSCF4009_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It's a thick &amp; thin, sort of by accident, but also because there were slubs of other fibers in it.&#160; Some of the twists are a little tight, but I think after a little more practice I can even it out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SaMzWDO68xI/AAAAAAAAAYw/Oj-ongvAa9Y/s1600-h/DSCF4014%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="360" alt="DSCF4014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SaMzWqwU8GI/AAAAAAAAAY0/5RJ2VNBIUl4/DSCF4014_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Speaking of practice, I will soon have some more roving to practice on.&#160; Yes, it has begun already.&#160; I found 2.5 oz of BFL for $7 on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5114588" target="_blank">Knit's</a> etsy shop.&#160; It's the plum colorway.&#160; I think this will be a little easier to work with and will help me work on consistency.&#160; I also picked up 1lb of lavender buds to use in sachets for my stash (I've been meaning to do this for a while).&#160; Maura and I went to the fabric store today and I found some really cute fabric in the quilts section.&#160; The next project is to sew them into pouches to use with the lavender coming my way.</p> <p>One last picture of my &quot;special creation&quot; :</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SaMzYNiEBnI/AAAAAAAAAY4/0iVHekxr2p8/s1600-h/DSCF4013%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="423" alt="DSCF4013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SaMzZD44RfI/AAAAAAAAAY8/AfCAx58ipgI/DSCF4013_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" border="0" /></a></p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-82941549935727663782009-02-15T14:48:00.001-06:002009-02-15T14:48:00.364-06:00Love and Left-overs<p>&#160;<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SZh_b2eCrJI/AAAAAAAAAYE/np_jk6N5_Xg/s1600-h/DSCF3981%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="300" alt="DSCF3981" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SZh_cWH1lxI/AAAAAAAAAYI/n_yYcJrm7Hs/DSCF3981_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>A lovely bouquet of flowers from my Lovely.&#160; I didn't take a picture of the half-eaten (by me) box of chocolates he also gave me.&#160; I don't really want photographic evidence of that deed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SZh_dRk0_7I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/9JqPjL1viIo/s1600-h/DSCF3982%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF3982" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SZh_dwh0uPI/AAAAAAAAAYU/0I1LocZSHFE/DSCF3982_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Even though we both worked yesterday, it was a very good day.&#160; He made dinner of Cajun Roast, fried potatoes, and steamed asparagus.&#160; I provided dessert from Fayzes in the form of a seven layer bar and an apple pie square.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SZh_eQ8fZ8I/AAAAAAAAAYY/JuYmJfYlIw4/s1600-h/DSCF3983%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="DSCF3983" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SZh_ewIt6yI/AAAAAAAAAYc/d_5G16qqF1k/DSCF3983_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It was delicious and there are plenty of left-overs for us to dine well again tonight.</p> <p>Speaking of &quot;left-overs&quot; (would you believe I didn't even plan that segue?), I've been working on a project to use those samples I got in the <a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2009/01/life-in-phat-lane.html" target="_blank">January Phat Fiber box</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SZh_fUxj-NI/AAAAAAAAAYg/kJGDHiDK5mU/s1600-h/DSCF3986%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="339" alt="DSCF3986" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SZh_f04PS2I/AAAAAAAAAYk/JHJBv8zUUIM/DSCF3986_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>These are mostly <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Phat Fiber</a> samples, but there are also scraps and left-overs from other projects.&#160; These are all the sock-weight samples, which were the majority.&#160; I have piles of samples (plus my own) in worsted and bulky weight.&#160; I think I may do knitted squares of those, or try for a scrap yarn scarf or something.</p> <p>If you're interested in obtaining a <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Phat Fiber</a> box (which you should be, you have no idea!), the theme for February is Romance &amp; Chocolate.&#160; Here is a link to the <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/2009/02/februarys-video.html" target="_blank">video</a> on the <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Phat blog</a> for all the goodies that will be in the February box (which goes on sale on Monday Feb. 16th, email her- <strong>Jessie at phatfiber at yahoo dot com</strong>- for the times!).&#160; There are lots of really cool items (patterns and magazines), lots of gorgeous fiber and yarn, and there will even be chocolate!&#160; As well as a few special extras that weren't in last months box.&#160; All this for only $33, shipping included!</p> <p>I'm passing this on in the hopes that someone I know will get one and I can oogle over theirs.&#160; I can't get one this month, but am very hopeful for the March box.&#160; </p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>p.s. the squares up there are done using <a href="http://milobo.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/sock-yarn-squares/" target="_blank">this pattern</a>.&#160; it's fast and super easy!</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-30137146794030700612009-01-23T17:32:00.002-06:002009-01-24T01:38:02.621-06:00Life in the Phat Lane<p>So (waaayyy) back in December I caught wind of this yarn and fiber sampler box that this wonderful woman, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6302008" target="_blank">Jessie</a>, was going to be putting together. She'd be getting sample skeins and batts, stitch markers and balms, needles and bags, and all the wonderful things that go along with this great lifestyle. Each month indie crafters would send her their samples in the theme (I LOVE themes!) for that month. </p> <p>January's theme was "Wintery Mix", and on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 8:22pm (during knitting group, what better time?!) the limited amount of boxes went on sale at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6302008" target="_blank">Phat Fibers</a> etsy site. Your humble blogger (that would be me), was able to procure a box (there were two available, a fiber and yarn box, and a yarn only box. I went for the latter.) and now I present to you, my spoils:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTY5UnUdI/AAAAAAAAAW8/Q89pBUcN4C8/s1600-h/DSCF3923%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3923" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTZ4rTu1I/AAAAAAAAAXA/zvxeZoz-7qo/DSCF3923_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" border="0" height="338" /></a></p> <p>A box FULL of wonderful samples of yarn! It's a sight to behold. Let's let them out of the box so you can get a closer look at some of them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTauWUSGI/AAAAAAAAAXE/5V85VVoOSVs/s1600-h/DSCF3925%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3925" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTbSus7pI/AAAAAAAAAXI/X0-m3Qz7o2E/DSCF3925_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" border="0" height="341" /></a> </p> <p>From L to R: <a href="http://www.bunkybobos.etsy.com/" target="_blank">BunkyBoBo's</a> Superwash Merino Sock in Hera (10g); <a href="http://melissaskre8tions.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Melissa's Kre8tions</a>, no info on color or fiber content but it looks handspun and ranges from yellow to red, about worsted weight (4.5g); <a href="http://fuzzybunnyfibers.etsy.com/" target="_blank">The Fuzzy Bunny</a> 100% Wool, light sport weight (10g/25yd); <a href="http://www.whorledpeace.com/" target="_blank">Whorled Peace</a>, 3 mini skeins of handpainted sock yarn (total weight 2.8g); <a href="http://www.chocolateprincess.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Chocolate Princess</a> 100% Wool in Early Winter, dk weight (9g); <a href="http://www.wildethyme.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Wildethyme</a> handspun Wool/Mohair/Tussah Silk, bulky thick 'n thin, and a beautiful purple beaded stitch marker (8.5g); <a href="http://www.hedgehogfibres.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Hedgehog Fibres</a> 65% Merino/20% Bamboo/15% Silk sock yarn in Water Edge, super, super awesome soft (4.3g)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTcRpoWOI/AAAAAAAAAXM/Rc2i-MUcdeQ/s1600-h/DSCF3926%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3926" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTc7sCReI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/EkCTWDNJOjE/DSCF3926_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" border="0" height="313" /></a> </p> <p>From L to R (and top to bottom): <a href="http://www.moonlightandlaughter.com/" target="_blank">Moonlight and Laughter</a> 100% wool in Leaves of Grass, bulky weight (2.4g), 75% Merino/25% Nylon sock yarn in The Golden Road (1.7g), BFL roving in Deep Lake (3.6g), and an adorable orange glass stitch marker; <a href="http://www.crazy4dyeing.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Crazy4Dyeing</a> Jolly Sock, 100% Superwash Merino in Glacier (13.4g); <a href="http://www.yarncandybymelissa.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Yarn Candy by Melissa</a> dark and light blue smooth, metal/enamal stitch markers (and a 20% off discount code which is why they're upside down); <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5901214" target="_blank">Tracy Rios</a> handspun Mohair/Wool/Cotton yarn (11.5g); <a href="http://www.turtlecovefarm.com/" target="_blank">Turtle Cove Farm</a> Turtle Feet (75% Superwash Merino/25% Nylon) sock yarn in Ice Flower (10g/46yd); <a href="http://www.steorracat.etsy.com/" target="_blank">SummerStar Creations</a> stitch markers, two red glass beads and one awesome business card! ;); <a href="http://www.handspunanddyedtoo.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Handspun and Dyed Too</a> handspun Falkland wool (10.5g); <a href="http://www.kyrie.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Faerie Dust &amp; Angel Fluff</a> 100% Baby Merino Wool, lace weight. This is the SOFTEST bit of yarn I have ever touched. I WILL be buying more of this! Ahem...(2.7g); <a href="http://www.memarcierenee.etsy.com/" target="_blank">In Stitches</a> stitch marker and offer for a free gift with purchase, nice and lightweight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTdmVEC4I/AAAAAAAAAXU/dn9f-Otl4iM/s1600-h/DSCF3929%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3929" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTeAeTBLI/AAAAAAAAAXY/hFFBPjR9IM8/DSCF3929_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" border="0" height="321" /></a> </p> <p>From L to R (and top to bottom): <a href="http://artemisiaink.com/" target="_blank">Artemisia Ink</a> 100% Merino Wool (handspun by Ashley Flagg) in Ocean Seaweed, bulky weight (34g/23yd); <a href="http://www.islandsweet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Island Sweet Fibre Arts</a> handspun Merino/Corn fibre/Ramie/Novelty in Glitter Storm, bulky thick 'n thin (7g); <a href="http://www.designsbytami.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Designs by Tami</a> sent a cute "matchbook" style notepad in a pretty, retro flower pattern; <a href="http://www.thelotetree.com/" target="_blank">The Lote Tree</a> (this is the wonderful Jessie, mentioned above, that put together this whole thing) Peppermint Lippschitt (great name!) lip balm. I'm wearing it right now and my lips are smooth and tingly! <a href="http://www.dragonladydesigns.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Dragon Lady Designs</a> sent three adorable stitch markers, the strawberry is my favorite! <a href="http://www.infinity.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Infinity</a> handspun Superwash Merino/Alpaca, bulky weight (16g); <a href="http://www.knit.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Knit</a> Get a Grip handbalm in Home scent, as far as I can tell it's a balm to make your hands a little tacky so you can grip the yarn and needles better. That's what I get from the instructions anyway, at any rate it smell delicious! <a href="http://www.danido.com/" target="_blank">DyedByDanido</a> (the tag for this was missing, but I found out who it was from the forums on ravelry. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">eta: the colorway is Katchemak and it's 100% wool. Thanks for the comment DaniDo!</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span>) sock yarn and a link to an exclusive pattern for the yarn (2.2g)! All of these lovelies are laying on the <a href="http://www.ruddawg.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Ruddawg</a> KIP bag that I got. It's big enough to hold a small project such as socks (or the scarf for Ray that I'm working on, more about that later). It's very well made, and while not in a fabric that I would have chosen, it will get plenty of use.</p> <p>There were also coupon codes for <a href="http://www.moonwoodfarm.com/" target="_blank">Moonwood Farm</a>, <a href="http://www.p2tog.com/" target="_blank">P2tog</a>, and <a href="http://www.andeylayne.com/" target="_blank">Andey Originals</a>. Hooray for discounts!</p> <p>All this wonderfulness (either I use this word a lot, or it is actually a word because the spell check isn't underlining it...hmm....) only cost $33.00! That was including shipping (which was mighty fast). I won't be buying the February box (ONLY because I went over my yarn budget this month and need to stop for a while) so if anyone wants to check it out, go to the <a href="http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Phat Fiber</a> blog and email Jessie and she'll send you a notice as to when it goes on sale. However, in March you can bet your sweet, furry yarn biscuits that I'm going to be clambering for one of those boxes. So please don't get in my way, I would like us to remain friends. ;)</p> <p>Anyway, onto other project news. The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dollar-and-a-half-cardigan" target="_blank">$1.50 cardigan</a> that I've been working on for a few months now is nearing completion. These are the two fronts blocking:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTe4NQzDI/AAAAAAAAAXc/9TMk7CQYteY/s1600-h/DSCF3934%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3934" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTfglFqrI/AAAAAAAAAXg/ObMzf1y51tA/DSCF3934_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTgFz6CUI/AAAAAAAAAXk/3wAa-CEeud0/s1600-h/DSCF3935%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3935" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTgzGbVZI/AAAAAAAAAXo/FDJEvAtM4dQ/DSCF3935_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>I've already blocked the sleeves, and the back is waiting for its' turn on the "blocking board" (which is actually one of those put-together play mats from the toy section at Wal-Mart. Only $20 and it works great!). After that, it's time to sew and then add some ribbing around the neck and fronts, add a few buttons and voila! Cardigan! This process is taking a bit longer than it needs to because I'm also working on this scarf for Ray (any time I put it down, he oh-so-discreetly puts it on my place on the couch. he's very subtle.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpThhrWkzI/AAAAAAAAAXs/TIX-HXoEZg4/s1600-h/DSCF3932%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3932" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTifYjgCI/AAAAAAAAAXw/88DIOpdtokQ/DSCF3932_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" border="0" height="291" /></a> </p> <p>It's the <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTexchequered.html" target="_blank">Exchequered</a> scarf from <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter08/index.php" target="_blank">Knitty</a>. Double knit, worked on sz. 3 needles in <a href="http://www.calyarn.com/colorcardpages/reynoldsrevue-cc.htm" target="_blank">Reynolds Revue</a> (Gray: 1336 and Chartreuse: 1474). It's a little slow going because of the double knit, but it's going to be so soft and warm that it'll be worth the time for him to be toasty (and look cool).</p> <p>And now, because it's been a while since you've been accosted with his cuteness......</p> <p>IT'S SAM!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTjEcFsVI/AAAAAAAAAX0/OB7KQWCLNcE/s1600-h/DSCF3915%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3915" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SXpTkEW7Y-I/AAAAAAAAAX4/rVM-Nig-6z4/DSCF3915_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" border="0" height="317" /></a></p>ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-65947476928079053192009-01-01T15:21:00.001-06:002009-01-01T15:21:09.292-06:00Hang Over On New Year's Day? How Cliche.<p>And yet here we are, in our pajamas at 3pm with the lights off, the TV off and the funk of the bar still around us.&#160; Poor Ray is much worse off than I (when he does drink, which isn't very often, he tends to go to far), and is keeping the couch warm with a bucket at the ready.&#160; Despite of the dour feelings we have right now, we both had a really good time being with friends last night and are particularly grateful to a few that helped us at the end of the evening (Matt, Janet, Heidi, and Ben; you all get medals).&#160; Our cameras battery has been dying rather quickly lately, so I don't have any pictures of our debauchery.&#160; However, I do remember a camera and seeing some really awful photos of myself, so the proof is out there somewhere.&#160; </p> <p>I was prodded by someone (*<em>coughJanetcough*</em>) to post pictures of my Christmas present from Ray.&#160; Since our camera is a bitch, and I'm too f'ing lazy to try taking good photos of it anyway, I'll post this link to a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxoY9iBentg" target="_blank">video of my present</a>.&#160; I got both the ball winder and the swift, but unfortunately not the art yarns.</p> <p>I'm off to down some more water, maybe make some soup, and lay in bed and watch Buffy and Angel.&#160; </p> <p>HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, YOU MAKE EVERYDAY WORTH CELEBRATING! (although, perhaps not as much as last night.)</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-24335802775509578442008-11-27T16:03:00.002-06:002008-11-27T16:06:25.994-06:00A Day of Pie, Pizza, and Pictures<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZNXlW_iI/AAAAAAAAAV4/mcUIZlwXhH8/s1600-h/7DS%20Spoiler%20badge%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="7DS Spoiler badge" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZNwiMsBI/AAAAAAAAAV8/xqKPvlBsrzw/7DS%20Spoiler%20badge_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="129" /></a> </p> <p>Yes, faithful followers, I have been neglecting you. I just don't take the necessary time to keep you updated on what is going on. Probably because most of the people that read this blog see me on a regular basis, and we communicate in person. However, there may be one or two people that read this that I don't see regularly, and to you; sorry I've been away.</p> <p>Anywho, it's Thanksgiving Day! And guess what? I don't have to do A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G! To celebrate our not having to drive anywhere or cook anything, Ray and I had pumpkin pie (store bought, of course) for breakfast. I think every Thanksgiving should start with pumpkin pie. I'm seriously going to make this tradition around our house, why wait all day for deliciousness? For dinner, we're having One Sun Bakery Organic Spinach &amp; Garlic pizza from the co-op. It's our favorite! I might actually break my oath of not doing anything and make <a href="http://www.joyfulabode.com/blog/2008/11/18/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-nut-bread-recipe/">this</a> pumpkin bread, but it wouldn't take very long and looks delicious. Worth oath-breakage.</p> <p>I also took time to take pictures of some of the projects I'm working on, since I haven't done that for a while. I'm almost 3/5 of the way through the <a href="http://shop.interweave.com/store/Dollar-and-a-Half-Cardigan-P344C27.aspx?AFID=12" target="_blank">Dollar and a Half cardigan</a> from Interweave Knits Spring 2007. I'm using <a href="http://www.yarndex.com/yarn.cfm?yarn_id=2685" target="_blank">Rowan Soft Lux</a>, in Ciel, that I got super cheap on elann.com. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZOwQTpNI/AAAAAAAAAWA/cBQKFcDFWyM/s1600-h/DSCF3894%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3894" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZPG2g2gI/AAAAAAAAAWE/dOhLOevgYh8/DSCF3894_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>This is the left front. The back and right front look like this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZPu_QxaI/AAAAAAAAAWI/GLQqGAcpoIA/s1600-h/DSCF3896%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3896" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZPoZJ3fI/AAAAAAAAAWM/ggI3iS0_v3E/DSCF3896_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>A side view of course. Also, I haven't blocked any of the pieces yet, so they look slightly "bubbly". </p> <p>I really love this yarn though. It's got a slight halo to it, and the metallic fiber that is spun with it makes the fabric sparkle. Glee!</p> <p>I finally started on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/TheUniqueSheep/syncopated-lace" target="_blank">Pride project</a> from the 7DSC last night. It's my first real lace project and already I think I'm doing it wrong. Maybe some one can tell me by looking at it, but the spots where my YO are don't seem to be "twisting" like they do in the picture of the project (and in the one's other people have done).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZQQgvv_I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/mCTFcQ6b9Yo/s1600-h/DSCF3892%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3892" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZQyDvCOI/AAAAAAAAAWU/6IBoCw9gKt0/DSCF3892_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" border="0" height="262" /></a> </p> <p>If you look at the row of YO by my right index finger, you can see they form more of a sideways "V" rather than a single line, like this one does:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZRgROo1I/AAAAAAAAAWY/xisnQoJFis8/s1600-h/Syncopated%20Lace%20shawl%20example%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="Syncopated Lace shawl example" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZSNg5YOI/AAAAAAAAAWc/vxQJktVdRu0/Syncopated%20Lace%20shawl%20example_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="215" border="0" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Actually, after looking at this picture compared to mine, none of my YO look right. Is this one of those "blocking" things? I know that lace isn't really completed until it's blocked (and the second one OBVIOUSLY is). Just looking at the stitches though, mine don't seem to be "formed" right. I know I'm doing the actual YO correctly, and on the next row I'm working them through the front. Am I supposed to work them through the back? The instructions don't say either way.</p> <p>This technique dilemma aside, I really like doing lace.</p> <p>Ok, onto the spoiler mentioned above. GREED! That's the theme of the 5th shipment of the 7DSC.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZSg5UzKI/AAAAAAAAAWg/kiKoVEBbJH8/s1600-h/DSCF3898%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3898" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZTGHqLkI/AAAAAAAAAWk/mGNa5ZU-UV0/DSCF3898_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" border="0" height="318" /></a> </p> <p>We've got 367 yds of 50/50 Superwash Merino/Tencel in the Precious Metals colorway (Gold &amp; Silver). A $100 bill magnetic bookmarker, gold, silver, and copper colored bangles, gold and silver chocolate coins (which I greedily ate before I could shoot them. I wasn't too greedy though, I shared them with others), clear beads to string onto the yarn as well as a silver button for the pattern, a stitch marker of $100 bills, and a length of cream colored raw silk (used as the background here) for the lining. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZTftdQWI/AAAAAAAAAWo/8DiINsxpKZM/s1600-h/DSCF3900%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3900" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mymfMysR3H4/SS8ZTgVz02I/AAAAAAAAAWs/ZOQ_WIAPkDQ/DSCF3900_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>The pattern is for a clutch purse, to hold all of my monies. Of which I have very little of at this time of year, and in general. I could stuff it with toilet paper though and no one would know the difference, just like in middle school......erm, I mean. What's that over there? <em>~runs away~</em> :)</p> <p>So, that is the latest shipment, and I am pleased. Very pretty yarn, very good use of the theme, and it came with chocolate. Thumbs up!</p> <p> </p> <p>p.s. I have designed a project for <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall08/index.html" target="_blank">Knitty</a> which they are going to be using in an upcoming issue (not the next one), but I don't know which one yet. So I can't say what it is, but when I find out which issue it'll be I'll let you all know. Squee!</p>ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-81911317983828278832008-10-16T17:52:00.001-05:002008-10-16T17:52:02.933-05:00More People need to see this...<p>&#160;</p> <p>....so feel free to cross-post, link-to, copy and paste, or whatever to help pass this along.&#160; I copied this from <a href="http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/how-much-would-you-pay-taxes.html" target="_blank">Parade</a>.&#160; It's pretty safe to say that I don't know anyone in the top five percent, so if you fall into one of the &quot;lower&quot; groups it should be clear who you should vote for.&#160; Just sayin'.</p> <div class="question"><strong></strong></div> <div class="question"><strong>How Much Would You Pay in Taxes?</strong></div> <div class="answer">Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain both say they&#8217;ll cut federal taxes if elected. Here&#8217;s what their proposals would mean for you. <br /> <br /> <table class="tableTD" style="font-size: 14px" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3" width="400" summary="" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold" valign="bottom">&#160;</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><strong><u>Obama</u> </strong></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><u><strong>McCain</strong> </u></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-weight: bold" valign="bottom">If you make...</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><strong>you'd&#160;&#160;&#160; <br />save... </strong> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><strong>you'd&#160;&#160; <br />save...</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom">less than $19,000</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$567</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$21</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom">$19,000-$37,600</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$892</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$118</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom">$37,600-$66,400</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$1118</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$325</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom">$66,400-$111,600</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$1264</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$994</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom">$111,600-$161,000</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$2135</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$2584</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom"> <p>$161,000-$227,000 <br /></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$2796 <br /></td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"> <p>$4437 <br /></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom"><strong>If you're in the top 5% of earners...</strong> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><strong>you'd pay&#160;&#160; <br />an extra...</strong> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><strong>you'd&#160;&#160; <br />save...</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom">$227,000-$603,400</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$121</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$8159</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom">$603,400-$2.87 million</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$93,709</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$48,862</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom">more than $2.87 million</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$542,882</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">$290,708</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <br /><em>*Source: Tax Policy Center. Numbers have been rounded. For complete details, go to <a href="http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/">TaxPolicyCenter.org</a></em>. <br /> <br /> <br /><em>If your annual salary is less than $112,000, you&#8217;d pay less in taxes under Obama&#8217;s plan; if your salary is higher, McCain would cut your taxes more. &#8220;While the aggregate tax cut is bigger for McCain, a larger number of voters get more money under Obama,&#8221; says Alan Viard, a tax-policy expert at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. &#8220;Obama is choosing to emphasize tax cuts for the middle class, whereas McCain&#8217;s strategy is to keep rates lower at the top as a way to facilitate long-run growth.&#8221; For example, a person with an income of $1 million could see his taxes increase under Obama by as much as $94,000, whereas under McCain&#8217;s plan he could save about $48,000. <br /> <br />&#8212; Rebecca Davis O'Brien</em> </div> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-48412926687874194492008-09-21T17:31:00.004-05:002009-08-30T12:14:07.452-05:00Sugar Twist Hat<p> </p> <p>Free pattern time again!! It's going to start getting chilly again soon (although today is no indicator of that. I was the crazy lady walking down the street in a winter coat, hat, and scarf. It's 82 degrees today!), and you'll need something to keep the heat in your noggin. I know I do, plus I wanted to have a hat to match the Cable Twist scarf I made and had just enough Malabrigo left over to do so. I've always thought that Malabrigo looked like cotton candy spun into yarn (and although that would create a huge sticky mess, it would literally be the most delicious yarn ever!), so I name thee:</p> <p><strong><u>Sugar Twist Hat</u></strong></p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SNbLIA6YZHI/AAAAAAAAAP8/jpzhY5xW54w/s1600-h/DSCF3863%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3863" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SNbLIlttQaI/AAAAAAAAAQA/2cx8NtHrwZU/DSCF3863_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="327" width="427" /></a> </u></strong></p> <p><strong><u></u></strong></p> <p><strong>Yarn:</strong> Malabrigo Gruesa (100% Wool; 3.5 oz; 65 yds): #100 Rosa Viejo, 2 skeins (I only used a small portion of the second skein, so if you make a smaller version you could get away with 1 skein)</p> <p><strong>Needles:</strong> 1 set US 10 (6.0mm) dpns &amp; one 16 in. circular needle</p> <p><strong>Other Stuff:</strong> Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle</p> <p><strong>Gauge:</strong> 10 sts &amp; 18 rows = 4 in. in reverse stockinette st (that's where the right side of the work is the purl side, just in case ;)</p> <p><strong>Size:</strong> this fits my 21 in. head nice and snug; any adjustments to the stitch count will alter the look of the cable, but if you do need to add or subtract stitches, I would do that evenly throughout the purl sections.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">* I edited the pattern a little to make the hat longer. If you have short/thin hair, go with the fewer rows. If you have long/thick hair, definitely add the extra rows. *</span><br /></p><p><br /></p> <p><strong><u>Directions</u></strong></p> <p>CO 60 sts.</p> <p>Place marker(pm) and join yarn (and yes, be careful not to twist), then K2, p2 across all sts. Repeat for 4 rows total.</p> <p>Row 1: P10, pm, K10, pm; repeat to end of row </p> <p>Row 2: P10, slip marker (sm), K10, sm; repeat to end of row</p> <p>Repeat Row 2<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> eight/ten</span> more times.</p> <p>Cable Row: *P10, slip 5 st to cable needle(cn), hold in front of work, K5 sts, K5 sts from cn; repeat from * to end of row.</p> <p>Repeat Row 2 for ten rows.</p> <p><u>Decrease Rows:</u></p> <p>Row 1: P8, P2tog, sm, K8, SSK, sm; repeat to end of row. </p> <p>Row 2: P9, sm, K9, sm; repeat to end of row.</p> <p>Row 3: P7, P2tog, sm, K7, SSK, sm; repeat to end of row.</p> <p>Row 4: P8, sm, K8, sm; repeat to end of row.</p> <p>Row 5: P2tog, P to 2 st before m, P2tog, sm K2tog, K to 2 st before m, SSK, sm; repeat to end of row.</p> <p>Row 6: Purl the purls, knit the knits ;)</p> <p>Row 7: Repeat Row 5</p> <p>Row 8: Repeat Row 6</p> <p>Row 9: P2tog twice, K2tog, SSK; repeat to end of row.</p> <p>Row 10: Repeat Row 6</p> <p>Row 11: P2tog, K2tog; repeat to end of row.</p> <p> </p> <p>Break yarn and weave in ends. Wear with love! </p> <p> </p> <p>For your viewing pleasure I'll give you another shot from my very brief photo session (any longer and I would have fainted from heat exhaustion!). I assure you, this is the one in which I look the LEAST pissed off:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SNbLJSrqi8I/AAAAAAAAAQE/IxcVastGzrs/s1600-h/DSCF3866%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="DSCF3866" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SNbLJ2GtCvI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Ei9-o-mKH_E/DSCF3866_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="275" width="362" /></a><br /></p><p>I was looking right into the sun, it was very hot, and there was a squirrel on the power lines that was none too happy about me shooting near his garden and was telling me all about it. I blame the sun mostly. Next time we shall wait another hour when the sun's not so high.</p>ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-92204080927846890932008-09-15T22:24:00.001-05:002008-09-15T22:24:27.219-05:00Seven Deadly S(p)ins Shipment #4<p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SM8m4TF8_OI/AAAAAAAAAPM/T0wagDy5SG4/s1600-h/7DS%20Spoiler%20badge%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="129" alt="7DS Spoiler badge" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SM8m4pqFarI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/nKsWoDgTyhw/7DS%20Spoiler%20badge_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>Today, I am full of Pride!&#160; Pride in myself for the patience I've shown with this club and with waiting for this shipment ;).&#160; Pride in this club for coming through with a great shipment and copious amounts of yarn, as well as a great pattern.&#160; And pride in my photoshop skills for getting the colors as close as I could to the originals (at least with the very meager amount of experience that I have).</p> <p>Yes, the theme of this shipment is Pride, and here it is:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SM8m5AyWtwI/AAAAAAAAAPU/3xFV6GEPhn0/s1600-h/DSCF3844%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="300" alt="DSCF3844" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SM8m5vHTuzI/AAAAAAAAAPY/CvxhKaQZsmk/DSCF3844_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The extras were few but, as I'm not in this for the extras, that was quite alright with me.&#160; I thought they were clever and useful (a mirror compact/hairbrush, a translucent vinyl bag for toting around your project, a handful of assorted candy; can't go wrong with candy, a 15% off coupon for <a href="http://woolgirl.net/index.html" target="_blank">WoolGirl</a>, and these adorable stitch markers from Mama Llama in colors which I will explain in sec.).</p> <p>The pattern is a lace wrap called Syncopated Lace by <a href="http://liisu.homestead.com/" target="_blank">Merike Saarniit</a>.&#160; In the booklet she explains that she is Estonian and extremely proud of her heritage, and learned to knit while growing up as part of her heritage.&#160; The lace pattern is an adaptation of two different Estonian Lace stitches and has a cabled border from the mind of the designer herself.&#160; The stitch markers included with the kit are in the colors Blue, Black, and White; the colors of the Estonian flag.&#160; The pattern is gorgeous and will be my first TRUE lace project.&#160; I'm very excited to start!</p> <p>The yarn is <a href="http://www.theuniquesheep.com/bases/luxe.htm" target="_blank">The Unique Sheep Luxe</a> (75% Superwash Merino/25% Tussah Silk, 200 yds/skein) in the Pride colorway.&#160; This is another gradient color scheme, starting with oranges and reds, and ending with deep pinks and purples.&#160; It looks like it's going to be great to work with, and I may have to use the coupon to get enough to make <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTjeanie.html" target="_blank">Jeannie</a>!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SM8m6M19U9I/AAAAAAAAAPc/BFNHnHxXI8s/s1600-h/DSCF3846_edited-1%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="325" alt="DSCF3846_edited-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SM8m6v_yuxI/AAAAAAAAAPg/XmuNtYZ_kBg/DSCF3846_edited-1_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The next contest for this club is a photo contest, in which we're supposed to take a picture that symbolizes one of the Deadly Sins.&#160; I've got a few (okay, way too many, and most require a wardrobe I don't even come close to owning!) ideas and think this will be a fun contest.&#160; Maybe I'll even win this time! ;)</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-10012261298427475202008-09-07T15:35:00.001-05:002008-09-07T15:35:29.779-05:00Sheepy, Wooly, Festy<p>&#160;</p> <p>What a blast!&#160; Maura, Heather, Betty, and I went to the Jefferson Sheep &amp; Wool Festival yesterday.&#160; It was a great day, the drive up was full of conversation, music, and napping (Heather was tuckered out from the night before, which happened to end a few hours before we left ;).&#160; I knew it was going to be a good day when I looked at the clouds and they were so fluffy and clumpy, they looked like huge batts of un-dyed roving in the sky.&#160; </p> <p>There were just as many vendors as there were last year, even some new ones, and sooooo much yarn and fiber that it was hard not to buy something at each booth.&#160; We all did very good though and stuck (for the most part...) to our budgets.&#160; I fell in love with a shop out of Geneva, IL called <a href="http://www.woolandcompany.net/" target="_blank">Wool and Company</a>.&#160; Not only did they carry the Mirasol Hacho I recently acquired, but also Shi Bui, Dream in Color, &amp; Colinette Jitterbug.&#160; It was a really, really hard decision to make; but I had to have a plan.&#160; I've been eyeing up the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chevron-scarf" target="_blank">chevron scarf</a> for over a year now, and decided I was going to buy enough of one of these yarns to make it.&#160; After a very rigorous debate over color and yardage (and much help from my co-horts) I decided to go with this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ6sPV6RZI/AAAAAAAAAOk/7Ias7S3SKu8/s1600-h/DSCF3838%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="329" alt="DSCF3838" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ6sl85uGI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Ttch1iINoVE/DSCF3838_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Try as I might, I just can't get a photograph that shows off the vibrant, rich, impossibly edible colors that appear in this yarn.&#160; Sorry, but this picture does not do it justice.&#160; So this is the Colinette Jitterbug in Lagoon (left), and Salty Dog (right), as well as the Ravelry button we each got from Dianne at <a href="http://creativelydyed.com/" target="_blank">Creatively Dyed Yarns</a>.&#160; So begins my chevron scarf, I may even have enough to make a hat to match!</p> <p>As well as yarny goodness, there were also throngs of adorable animals, I leave you with just a few:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ6tzymGOI/AAAAAAAAAOs/bwUCs2U6RnI/s1600-h/DSCF3816%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF3816" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ6vDuROJI/AAAAAAAAAOw/hY3L-nPhQN0/DSCF3816_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ7AySAzEI/AAAAAAAAAO0/yD14Q6khC8U/s1600-h/DSCF3820%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF3820" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ7BGlsL_I/AAAAAAAAAO4/LEavzGfWQMI/DSCF3820_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ7BkToGfI/AAAAAAAAAO8/39_1ZbKYd1g/s1600-h/DSCF3823%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="DSCF3823" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ7B96AIaI/AAAAAAAAAPA/Er4sPp7or8c/DSCF3823_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ7CiLWq6I/AAAAAAAAAPE/FjKQsznjDng/s1600-h/DSCF3817%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF3817" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SMQ7EVFjzVI/AAAAAAAAAPI/Hopbm8dVcGI/DSCF3817_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-3428279510499213512008-08-04T00:18:00.001-05:002008-08-04T00:18:50.595-05:00Just a Quick Word<p>I'm about to shove off to bed, but before I do I want to pass the word to those that may not have caught wind of this yet.&#160; There is a new online <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/">knitting magazine</a> up and running.&#160; The patterns are not free :(&#160; but they are gorgeous enough for me to not care.&#160; The articles are pretty informative, especially the one by Cat Bordhi and an amazing new way to knit a <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/36-columns/65-houdini-socks">sock</a> (I swear that woman could find a way to knit a bicycle into a sock!).&#160; The layout is really cool too, you just click on the sidebar to &quot;turn&quot; the page.&#160; Probably the most beautiful feature though (besides the lovely patterns) is the photography (ATTENTION: MAURA!!!!), they divide the sections of patterns up into themes, and.....you just have to see for yourself.&#160; They're so much fun!</p> <p>Anyway, this is my obsession: <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/50-autumn-2008/77-wisteria-by-kate-gilbert-">Wisteria</a>.&#160; I've been searching online for a yarn that will work that won't make the sweater be $60.&#160; I think I can do Knit Picks Swish for about $40, but I don't know what the yarn feels like.&#160; Has anyone used it?&#160; Is it soft and &quot;sweaterable&quot;?&#160; There are also a few other patterns that I want to make, but this one will be first (if I make any, that is).&#160; </p> <p>So there, go forth and drool!</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-68579403955341306462008-07-22T17:22:00.001-05:002008-07-22T17:22:34.426-05:007 Deadly Sins Shipment #3<p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SISviHw_tcI/AAAAAAAAAN8/vSAB0cffBFY/s1600-h/7DSSpoilerbadge2.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="129" alt="7DS Spoiler badge" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SISvmjx-7rI/AAAAAAAAAOA/orRtiq-MCKw/7DSSpoilerbadge_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>Just in case I didn't start this post low enough for anyone to not be spoiled if they stumble upon this, I'll give you a picture of my animal fitting this month's them quite well:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SIZdlBYRcaI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Oq9TH2SLmH4/s1600-h/DSCF36153.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSCF3615" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SIZdlWIQ26I/AAAAAAAAAOI/GNQzwP6J7SU/DSCF3615_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>So yes, this shipments' theme was Sloth.&#160; I was quite worried about this shipment given my disappointment in the last one, but I have to say I'm not really disappointed this time.&#160; I'm not as ecstatic as I could be, but at least this shipment had some yarn in it, and the pattern (although I would probably pass it by if searching for something to make) looks like it took a really long time (not to mention a lot of math) to design.&#160; It's not something I would normally like, but I think it could grow on me.&#160; It also looks like it's going to be a heck of a lot more challenging than the last shipment.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SIZdmf97Z0I/AAAAAAAAAOM/krOmNNun0jE/s1600-h/DSCF36224.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="297" alt="DSCF3622" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SIZdmyam3SI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/rIH4pKTpRck/DSCF3622_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" border="0" /></a></p> <p>The yarn is <a href="http://woolgirl.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=5_86_390">Unique Sheep Footprints</a>.&#160; 50g of Studmuffin (brown) and 70g of Siesta Fiesta (multicolor), as well as 8g of black angora yarn for the inside of the earflaps.&#160; The extras included were a row counter (for those to lazy to keep track), a club button, a note pad with a crazy colorful sloth on it, and some loose tea from Felicitea (green tea, chamomile, peppermint, and catnip), as well as a tea bag to put it in (the glass of Mango Lemonade did not come with the shipment, I was just to lazy to move it.&#160; Just keeping with the theme!)</p> <p>So while it's not what I expected, I'm happy about the challenge that the project will provide.&#160; However, it's going to wait a little bit because I've started something else.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SIZdoFrKuXI/AAAAAAAAAOU/Qv688lfqmB0/s1600-h/DSCF36293.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="272" alt="DSCF3629" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SIZdolEMcSI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Kv9vnUEQszw/DSCF3629_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" border="0" /></a>&#160; </p> <p>This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/short-and-sweet">Short 'N Sweet</a> (ravelry link) from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Bitch-Crochet-Happy-Hooker/dp/0761139850">Stitch 'N Bitch Happy Hooker</a> book.&#160; I'm making this with the same yarn that I made <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blissful">Blissful</a> with, which <a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2007/10/tale-of-two-hats.html">didn't turn out as such for me,</a> but will work great for Maura (once I finish putting the fasteners on it).&#160; Also unlike Blissful, this one seems like it's going to fit me.&#160; So far.&#160; While working on this project, I've been neglecting this one:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SIZdp6IObzI/AAAAAAAAAOc/AQ6vQuB3YNk/s1600-h/DSCF36343.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="277" alt="DSCF3634" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SIZdqcTwkxI/AAAAAAAAAOg/4mtpxN7VBVs/DSCF3634_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This is the <a href="http://www.violinjodie.com/blog/globe-trotter-socks/">sock for Ray</a> that I've been picking up between projects.&#160; I'm not sure what is keeping me away from it, I think I may be a little burnt out on socks, but I really want to finish <strike>it</strike> them for him.&#160; Yes, this is only the first one.&#160; At this rate he MAY have them for Christmas.&#160; We'll see.</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-59037608380905260142008-07-21T21:24:00.003-05:002008-07-21T21:36:37.042-05:00Technical DifficultiesOn Sunday I wrote a post on Live Writer about the last shipment of 7DS, full of pictures and everything. Something is wrong with the internet connection in our area and it's not letting me upload it at all. A technician is coming by on Thurs. to take a look at it. Hopefully they can do something about this, because it's affecting all three of our computers and also Ray's Xbox. Our connection is also really slow at times, one page took almost three minutes to load! Ugh! Ray thinks that maybe they're bandwidth shaping, but he did a download test on someone elses router in our building and they were going slow as well. I may just breakdown and take my computer somewhere with free wireless to upload the post. Sorry to keep you in suspense. ;)ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-53520539562575913422008-07-19T22:17:00.001-05:002008-07-19T22:17:09.630-05:00Story Time<p>I wrote a short story for a contest for the yarn club I'm in (7DS, button on the side there).&#160; The story had to be no more than 300 words (which mine is exactly) and had to end with the sentence &quot;...and s/he saw the sloth wrap and dangle the scarf from its neck.&quot;&#160; Sloth being the theme of this next shipment.&#160; I found it challenging to keep the story under 300 words (I tend to ramble and over explain things), but did manage to do it.&#160; My inspiration for the story (and it's macabre theme) came from my friend Jason who often writes anecdotal stories about cute insects and animals and their true nature.&#160; So anyway, without further ado.......</p> <p><em>Penelope, the praying mantis, and Midge, the sloth, were at their usual game. Penelope would run up to the very top of the tree and pick all the best fruits and nuts and place them on Midge&#8217;s belly, this way Midge could just hang around in her favorite spot all day. In return, Penelope got free run of all the insects and bugs in the tree. This made both of them very happy and plump. </em></p> <p><em>One day, as Penelope was crawling around on Midge searching for parasites to eat she got some of Midge&#8217;s hair stuck on her legs. As she wound her legs around to try and free herself she noticed that certain movements made the hair fibers &#8220;lock&#8221; together. Being the curious and creative mantis that she was, she decided to collect some of Midges hair and repeat this motion to see what would happen. She quickly realized that doing this created a long piece of fabric. </em></p> <p><em>Penelope decided to make a present for her friend Midge. She would make a strip of fabric out of Midge&#8217;s hair that she could wrap around herself. Penelope would call this strip of fabric a scarf. Midge would love it because Penelope worked so hard on it. And she did work on it. A lot. She soon became obsessed with making this scarf and was no longer bringing food for Midge. </em></p> <p><em>This didn&#8217;t make Midge very happy. She was too lazy to get up for food and Penelope was right there, well-fed on insects. Midge reached out and picked up Penelope to put her in her mouth, scarf still in hand. She cried out, but to no avail. She made one last attempt to escape from Midge&#8217;s mouth and she saw the sloth wrap and dangle the scarf from her neck.</em></p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>p.s.&#160; I got the shipment today.&#160; I shall take pictures of it and post my thoughts tomorrow.&#160; </p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-60735481777488644142008-07-15T00:39:00.001-05:002008-07-15T00:39:59.311-05:00A Productive Weekend<p>&#160;</p> <p>First off, I'd like to thank everyone that commented on my last post.&#160; It meant a lot to Ray and I to know that so many people were thinking of us and of Zombie too.&#160; The house just isn't the same without her and I think even Sam (reluctant as they were to like each other) misses having her around.&#160; Oh, she was such a sweetheart.</p> <p>Well like a lot of grieving people, I tried to keep myself busy, so as to keep my mind off things.&#160; Aside from going for several bike rides, breakfasts, dinners, and movies this weekend; I also worked on some knitting projects.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHw4I_XemmI/AAAAAAAAANk/kglQjxcu5C8/s1600-h/DSCF3609%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="200" alt="DSCF3609" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHw4JB2UjWI/AAAAAAAAANo/fIq-XDQXgqA/DSCF3609_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This is an inner tube from Ray's bike tire that went flat this weekend.&#160; I had seen inner tubes made into straps for bags before, but just never had one lying around.&#160; I attached it to the <a href="http://larissmix.typepad.com/spork/">Spork Felted Courier Bag</a> that I knit <strike>ages</strike>&#160; a while ago and never got around to finishing.&#160; Well, technically it's still not done.&#160; I need to put the buckles on the flaps still, but it's a little closer.&#160; And now I have a motive for finishing it too, this bag is going to be sold at the market.&#160; I have a gajillion bags and I don't really need another one.&#160; Plus the money will help to pay for Zombie's final medical bills.&#160; Not the most cheery of causes, but necessary none the less.</p> <p>In the there's-no-way-this-going-to-be-anyone-else's category of knitting news:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHw4J2jTg-I/AAAAAAAAANs/-McQb_n5-sM/s1600-h/DSCF3611%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="200" alt="DSCF3611" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHw4KLvCQWI/AAAAAAAAANw/HT7dqz0uZM8/DSCF3611_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Ewww, what the hell is that?!!&#160; And why would you want to keep it?!&#160; Well, &quot;that&quot; is just over 100 yds of Malabrigo super bulky thick &amp; thin (color: Rosa viejo) knitted into a scarf that kind of looks like a really pretty tape worm.&#160; That is until you do this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHw4Kxk8pZI/AAAAAAAAAN0/y-blBseXrYA/s1600-h/DSCF3612%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="200" alt="DSCF3612" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHw4LsM04sI/AAAAAAAAAN4/3LO6F6gYXHA/DSCF3612_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Ahhhhhh.&#160; Much better.&#160; This is the Alpine Cable Scarf from <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_info&amp;products_id=6829&amp;store=books">Andrea Tung's Hats, Mittens, &amp; Scarves Deck</a>.&#160; It knits up really quick (which is good for the crazy person that decides she just has to knit a Malabrigo scarf in the middle of summer), and looks great once it is blocked.&#160; I'm not sure how well it will keep it's shape once I'm wearing it for a while, but I won't have to worry about that for at least 3 more months (fingers crossed).</p> <p>I've also started working on the second half of my <a href="http://zombiecat-lifeintheround.blogspot.com/2008/05/seven-deadly-ribs-wrist-warmers-free.html">Seven Deadly Ribs Wrist Warmers</a>, and after trying to follow my own pattern realized that I am an idiot.&#160; I totally had to fix the whole pattern, and it's still not quite how I want it.&#160; However, I can live with it because it's pretty much my first real design pattern.&#160; Plus I'm too lazy to go through and figure out how to make that crazy cable cross in the other direction (I have a feeling it would require starting the 1x1 rib with a purl instead of a knit.&#160; Don't ask me why, apparently working on that pattern immediately turns off my brain and I can't even figure out the simplest repeat.)&#160; I'll have pictures of those up when they're done and Maura has had a chance to photograph them properly.</p> <p>Well, it's now late and my bed is calling.&#160; Off to cuddle a kitty.</p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803456062036910291.post-38699414185532925632008-07-08T22:00:00.001-05:002008-07-08T22:00:26.494-05:00R.I.P.<p>&#160;</p> <p><strong>Zombie</strong> (aka Zombers, Princess, &amp; Zombelina)&#160; 1994-2008</p> <p>&#160;<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHQpv49lZZI/AAAAAAAAANU/IUbfB7ctT0w/s1600-h/zombiebasket%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="336" alt="zombiebasket" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHQpwhOmtDI/AAAAAAAAANY/8yMfLqGKaqk/zombiebasket_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>She was tiny, bright-eyed, and could cuddle longer than any cat I know.&#160; She loved her purple velvet pillow, and sitting in laps.&#160; She purred like a motor boat stuck on high.&#160; And she was oh so tiny.</p> <p>She passed away peacefully at the vets office in the arms of the two people who cared for her most.</p> <p>We'll miss you Zombie, you'll always have a special spot on our laps.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHQpxnsDxhI/AAAAAAAAANc/hxKbWH1YQYg/s1600-h/DSCF2548%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="336" alt="DSCF2548" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/ZombieCat80/SHQpybeTDcI/AAAAAAAAANg/y_75Po1pOXE/DSCF2548_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" border="0" /></a></p> ZombieCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403494972999686781noreply@blogger.com8